AN OUTSTANDING first half performance from Perth Lynx gun Lauren Scherf helped her side edge past the Sydney Uni Flames, claiming a 75-64 win at Bendat Basketball Centre on Saturday night.

Scherf exploded in the opening two quarters, producing 27 points by the time the buzzer sounded for half-time, and finished with a clear game-high points total on her way to a whopping double-double in an emphatic victory.

The Flames burst out of the gates with a stunning 17-7 first quarter, but Scherf led Perth back into the game with scoring at all three levels, and the Lynx held on in the second half to claim a double-digit win.

Perth Lynx (75) def. Sydney Uni Flames (64)

Lauren Scherf – 33 points, 14 rebounds, four rebounds

Scherf was an absolute force in the win over the Flames on the weekend, ending the match as the deciding factor to help her side fight back after a slow start.

At her accurate best, 13 of her 22 shots from the field found the bottom of the net, playing out the match as the primary source of scoring for the Lynx. She showed a capability to score at all three levels, making defending her an extremely complex task.

Although plenty of her shots came from within 10 feet of the basket, Scherf was able to stretch the floor and chime in for some triples. The forward nailed four three-pointers on eight attempts, making the defence stay on the move and keep an eye on the perimeter.

Inside the paint, Scherf was at her ruthless best, backing down the opposition and nailing a few pick-and-roll plays. With the departure of some big names over the offseason, there was plenty of expectation on her shoulders to be the focal point of the team’s offence in the half-court, and Scherf’s inside scoring is her best weapon in this area. The Flames’ interior defence stood no chance as the 26-year-old did as she pleased inside and around the paint in the first half in particular.

As per usual, Scherf was exceptional at crashing the boards, using her wingspan and six-foot-five frame to box out opponents and get first touch on the ball. She did most of her work on the defensive end, with 12 of her 14 rebounds coming after a missed opposition shot, completely eradicating any chance of any second-chance points.

Scherf has been asked to shoulder more of the load following the departure of some international stars heading into the 2022/23 season, but Saturday night showed she can be the anchor of a team’s offence. Any player would be thrilled with 27 points in a match, but she was able to do it in just a half of play.