On a day that was about more than just basketball, the Sydney Flames scored an important win in the battle for fourth sport with a 24 point victory over Adelaide Lightning in the third annual Pink Hoops game.
With every three pointer raising funds for cancer charity the McGrath Foundation, the home side exploded out of the blocks with six triples in the opening quarter as they scored the first 16 points of the game, before finishing with a 30-9 lead at the first break.
Brooke Bascham led an Adelaide fightback in the second quarter on the scoreboard, scoring several three pointers of her own to reduce the margin. As for the Flames, while not all the shots were dropping, they were winning the rebound tally and scored 11 of their 15 second quarter points from second chance shots, with centre Yemiyah Morris recording a double double of 12pts/10rebs by halftime.
The third quarter was the Shaneice Swain show, as the exciting WNBA-bound guard dropped 13 points for the Flames, including back-to-back threes at a time where Adelaide were looking to get back into game, to blow the lead out to a game-high 25 points midway through the third quarter.
Adelaide skipper Steph Talbot, celebrating WNBL game 200, traded three pointers with Swain back-and-forth for a couple of minutes to try and keep her side in the game, but the home team took a comfortable 22 point lead into the final quarter.
Having been outscored by 23 points in the fourth quarter of their previous matchup in December, the Flames would not have felt entirely comfortable. After Adelaide made a mini-run of scores to start the quarter, a tough drive to the basket by bench guard Sherrie Calleia settled the nerves of Flames fans, and the home side maintained their composure and execution to record a crucial 24 point win.
While both Morris and Cayla George recorded double double stat lines, Shaneice Swain was awarded the Pink Hoops Tiana Mangakahia MVP award for her 23pt/6reb/5ast. Tiana played for the Flames in 2022-23, having a breakout season which saw her earn Opals selection until a recurrence of breast cancer forced her into playing retirement. She is still with the club in a part time coaching capacity.
Swain, who has always been a natural shooter of the ball, was reflective on another part of her game today.
“I feel like I wasn’t really thinking about the offensive end, I was moreso thinking about the defensive end…being where I needed to be to help the team. Happy with how I played, but also happy with how I played defence.”
Adelaide coach Scott Ninnis, knowing his side has a tough run home to the finals including three games in a row against the top three, was blunt in his assessment of the performance.
“In a game we had everything to play, against a team we needed to beat… that is bitterly disappointing.”
As for Sydney, it was an impressive performance after a sub-standard game a few days ago in Geelong. Having lost their other two encounters with Adelaide, the win keeps the Flames with their noise in front in the battle for fourth spot, with several teams vying for that last finals position.
Flames coach Guy Molloy was understandably pleased with the result.
“We had a great start, they were really locked in. I feel better about that one, just because of our four quarter effort and our application than any other game I can think of so far this season.”
The Flames now have a 3-0 record in Pink Hoops games. Tiana Mangakahia was the best player on the court in the first such game, coincidentally also against Adelaide Lightning. Today, Tiana, who mourned the loss of a grandparent during the week, sat on the bench with her Flames family, with her parents flying down from Queensland to sit in the stands to support her on such a special occasion.
Flames Coach Molloy seemed to hold back emotions post-game when answering HER WAY’s question about the impact of Tiana on himself and the Flames:
“I just love her to bits. She’s one of the most inspirational people that you can be around.”
Listen below to hear Coach Molloy’s full tribute to Tiana.
SCORE
SYDNEY FLAMES 84 (Swain 24pt, Morris 14)
ADELAIDE LIGHTNING 70 (Turner 14)