{"id":33997,"date":"2023-03-09T09:28:21","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T23:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/?p=33997"},"modified":"2023-03-09T09:28:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T23:28:23","slug":"mitchell-posts-mammoth-score-in-opening-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/mitchell-posts-mammoth-score-in-opening-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Mitchell posts mammoth score in opening loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE SEMI FINALS have begun in the WNBL, with the Southside Flyers<\/a> holding off a Tiffany Mitchell<\/a> scoring masterclass to down the Melbourne Boomers<\/a> and take game one of the series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first of a maximum three matches between the two sides, the Flyers produced a balanced offensive performance en route to an 84-76 victory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a tight start to the match, Southside opened up a 10-point lead at quarter time, rallying behind the likes of Kayla Thornton<\/a> and Rebecca Cole<\/a> to take control of the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Melbourne fought back in the last to draw within two points, the Flyers were held in good stead by Sara Blicavs<\/a>, who led the team to an eight-point triumph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite not getting over the line, the Boomers could not ask much more of Mitchell, who put the team on her back in an attempt to conjure a remarkable comeback victory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was essentially a one-woman show for Melbourne on the offensive end for much of the match, and was the sole reason why the Boomers stayed in the match until late in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Tiffany
Tiffany Mitchell was excellent against Southside. Photo: Melbourne Boomers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Southside Flyers (84) def. Melbourne Boomers (76)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tiffany Mitchell – 36 points, six rebounds, three assists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the big stage, the star guard showed she is built for the spotlight with a dominant scoring performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clearly her 36 points were the most of anyone, shouldering the offensive load for Melbourne as best she could, identifying that some of her teammates were struggling from the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a remarkably accurate performance, with Mitchell draining 15 of her 21 shots from the field, delivering a perfect balance of inside and outside shot attempts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She usually does her best work from inside the arc, and while she excelled from that range again on Wednesday (11\/16 2PT), the import showed that she can be an offensive threat across all three levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From three-point territory, Mitchell shot 80 per cent, nailing four of her five attempts and displaying plenty of confidence in her ability to drain shots from range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it has been an area of concern at various stages throughout the fixture, the All-WNBL Second Team member was in some serious scoring form against the Flyers and could not be stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The timeliness of her baskets also stood out, dragging the Boomers back into the match with some excellent shot-making in the fourth quarter. Although the Flyers were too strong overall, Mitchell’s offensive performance was one of the best of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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