FINALS-bound Townsville Fire showed no mercy during a comprehensive 24-point belting of Geelong United yesterday, coming away with a big WNBL victory in their penultimate match of 2024. The Fire won three of the four quarters by at least seven points and never really looked like losing at home, finishing with an 85-61 win.

Spearheaded by Courtney Woods, the Fire burst out of the blocks to lead by double-digits at quarter time. Though United put up resistance in the second term to stem the bleeding, that proved to be a short-lived fight as Townsville put the foot back down after half-time to win both quarters 21-14 and storm to a statement win in Round 9.

Woods finished the match with a game-high 23 points and six assists, while also recording five rebounds and a steal. She teamed up with Abbey Ellis who managed 17 points, four steals and three rebounds in the win, working hard to create turnovers for the Fire.

Also in double-digit points were Alicia Froling (15 points, nine rebounds) and Lauren Cox (12 points, six rebounds and two assists). They were two of five Fire players to notch up at least five rebounds. Along with Woods, Saffron Shiels also played the role of facilitator perfectly, dishing off five assists to accompany the same amount of rebounds, and seven points.

For United, Froling’s sister Keely notched up a double-double in defeat with 10 points and 11 rebounds, as well as four assists and three steals. Haley Jones was a lone scorer on offence though, picking up 22 points, the only other Geelong player to make it past 10. Alex Sharp (nine points, four rebounds) and Monique Conti (six points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals) also tried hard for United.

Townsville Fire will prepare for a two-day turnaround and welcome in the new year with a home clash against Bendigo Spirit on New Year’s Eve. Geelong United will have the seven-day break until heading to the nation’s capital where they face UC Capitals on Sunday, January 5 with a 12:30pm tip-off.