Lynx join Wildcats in double title run
TweetTHEY'VE done it! Andy Stewart and his revitalised Perth Lynx scored the first surprise of the WNBL playoffs when they rattled reigning champion Townsville 91-72 to move into the Grand Final.
The "surprise" wasn't that Perth won. It was that it won by 19 and did it in Townsville's house!
It means the WNBL's historic first best-of-3 Grand Final Series will tip off in Perth on Saturday, March 12 and return there for Game 3 (if required) on Sunday, March 20.
Game 2 will be in Queensland, either in Townsville or in Brisbane at Logan, depending on the outcome of this Sunday's Preliminary Final between the Fire and the Stars.
The Stars made it a finals weekend rarity when they beat the Rangers 86-82 in the KO semi final in one of the great women's basketball games of the year.
The rarity was the fact both visiting teams - SEQ and Perth - won in hostile venues.
BLITZ HALVES: Sara Blicavs had a career and playoffs-high 38 points but SEQ advanced regardless.
It was a colossal effort by SEQ after trailing 24-39 late in the second quarter and again by 10 with eight minutes left.
Sara Blicavs had a career night with 38 points at 53 per cent, nine rebounds and four assists, leading Dandenong in each stat. But down 82-85 her three for the tie did everything but go down, Ify Ibekwe's free throw finally putting SEQ out of reach.
Ibekwe also had a strong game with 21 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, her seven turnovers the only major blemish.
Still down injured point guard Lauren Mansfield, it was an outstanding performance by SEQ which also has no fears of the Fire Station, having won in Townsville already this season.
Townsville's back-to-back bid took a major hit as Perth's under-rated import pair Betnijah Laney (23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, zero turnovers, one steal) and Sami Whitcomb (21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) again thrived.
Carley Mijovic paired 17 points with nine boards, internationals Tessa Lavey and Toni Edmondson also in double digits and very effective.
Perth turned its finals inexperience into a fearless and tenacious assault which had Townsville chasing for the majority of the contest.
It means the Lynx, like the Wildcats in the NBL, now are just two wins - and both own homecourt advantage in the Grand Final - from a championship.
WNBL Semi Finals
KO Semi: SEQ STARS 86 (Jarry 25, Ibekwe 21, Allen 17, Payne 12; Ibekwe 14 rebs; Ibekwe 5 assts) d DANDENONG RANGERS 82 (Blicavs 38, Kennedy 12, Pickrel 11; Blicavs 9 rebs; 3 with 4 assts) at Dandenong Basketball Stadium.
Double Chance Semi: PERTH LYNX 91 (Laney 23, Whitcomb 21, Mijovic 17, Lavey 15, Edmondson 11; Mijovic 9 rebs; Laney, Lavey 4 assts) d TOWNSVILLE FIRE 72 (Novosel 15, George, Cocks 12, Batkovic 11; George 11 rebs; Novosel 5 assts) at Townsville RSL Stadium.