Melbourne Boomers have won their first WNBL Minor Premiership since 2011 after the Perth Lynx blew a chance at top spot by losing to lower Townsville.
Lynx was up nine at nine early in the second half, but could not hold back a consumed Townsville, starting with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Steph Reid as the Fire shot a 76-69 victory in Townsville on Sunday.
A 26-point haul of the 2019 WNBA No.1 pick Jackie Young was not enough for Perth, who won 84-72 in Sydney and 75-68 in Townsville (7-10) on Friday.
The Boomers (12-5) will place fourth-placed Adelaide (10-7) in the game one of the best-of-three semifinal series starting Thursday.
End of an era. thanks you @JennaOHea 💙🌟#WeAreWNBL pic.twitter.com/5PZ8ElyTAX
– WNBL (@WNBL) March 19, 2022
Perth (11-5) come home for the start of their three-game semi-final series against third-place Canberra (11-6) also kicked off on Thursday.
Canberra was trapped at the reception of two final rounds on the road, crashing 81-50 in Adelaide and 107-52 in Melbourne Boomers.
‘It was no ordinary Boomers-Capitals game. “They usually pull things off and we got to the top early and stayed pretty proud of the group,” said Boomers coach Guy Molloy.
“I fully expect us to run caps again in this final. They will come back pretty hard.
“There are no gimmicks or tricks at the moment, so I think a little better execution, a little polish, a little extra movement, let go of a turnover or two, these kind of things and just make sure the players are refreshed and really confident in the semifinals.
Retired Opals Stalwart Jenna O’Hea came out on a winning note as her Southside Flyers side set up the final-bound Adelaide 87-79 at the Lightning home court.
O’Hea scored 17 points in her 299th and final WNBL game to reject an Adelaide team that was triggered by 28 points and 10 boards from Alanna Smith.
“We are undersized and the numbers are down and to get one last win and finish my career on it, I don’t really have the words,” O’Hea said.
“I think since I announced my retirement, I’ve felt a sense of relief and a weight off my shoulders, so I really played freely.”
With that win, and Sydney losing 85-73 to Bendigo (7-9) on Sunday, the Flyers (5-12) climbed out of last place and the Flames (4-13) finished bottom, finishing all nine lost from her home. Player.
Bendigo has won six of his last eight after a 1-7 start to come fifth.
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