PERTH Lynx have improved to 3-1 on the WNBL season after an enthralling comeback victory over the Sydney Flames. The Flames, now 1-3 for the year, came into the contest after a blowout loss to the Adelaide Lightning on Wednesday night, whilst Perth had over a week of rest since its last outing against the UC Capitals, a narrow two-point win.

Sydney gained momentum early in the contest after Shaneice Swain started like a house on fire. Swain took 17 three-point attempts en route to eight makes from downtown, the equal fifth most in a game in WNBL history. Her early shooting led Sydney to a 10-point advantage going into the first break, before the Lynx fought back to force an even second quarter. 

Down by 11 at halftime, Perth needed to come out swinging in the second half, and with great ball movement and team scoring they were able to begin the term on a 15-0 run and take the lead. A Swain three-point hit with six seconds remaining in the third quarter tied the game and things were all set up for a superb finish at Bendat, but the Lynx got out ahead by seven early on and never surrendered the lead. They outscored the Flames by 17 points in the second half to come out six-point winners and move to second on the WNBL table. 

Laeticia Amihere was the standout for the home side scoring 28 points to go with four assists, four rebounds and four steals. She was efficient from the floor shooting 11 of 18 and went six of nine from the free throw line. Perth also benefitted from a double-double from captain Anneli Maley who posted 11 points and 10 rebounds, while young gun Steph Gorman flirted with a double-double herself, adding 12 points and nine rebounds. Alex Wilson chipped in 19 points with a balanced statline, shooting nine of 14 from the field. 

Meanwhile for Sydney, who flamed out in the second half, Swain led the way with 26 points, while Cayla George was dominant on the boards, her 16 rebounds paired with 19 points, four assists and two blocks. She was joined by Mikaela Ruef who also double-doubled, grabbing 16 rebounds of her own to go with 10 points and eight assists in a near-triple-double effort. 

The Flames out-rebounded the Lynx 50-37 but committed 20 turnovers and gave up 30 fast break points to the home team. Though Perth did not shoot the lights out, and their struggles from the free throw line continued yet again, they were able to get easy baskets at the rim from Sydney turnovers and scored 48 points in the paint. 

Perth will open Round 5 on Wednesday night against the Townsville Fire whom they lost to in Round 2, before heading to Victoria to play the Southside Flyers on Sunday. It is their second double-game week of the season as the Lynx look to build on their three-game winning streak. Sydney will host Geelong United on Saturday afternoon, having dropped their last four matches.