Boomers take heat from Flames run

For the first time this season one of coach Cheryl Chambers’ halftime rev-ups failed to work.

Chambers’ carefully chosen words have triggered numerous second-half turnarounds but the Boomers’ sweet-shooting and defensive effort was too much for the Flames, who went into the match off their biggest victory of the season and on a three-game winning run.

The Flames had their pride dented on Saturday by a side boasting big guns Liz Cambage and fellow Opal Jenna O’Hea lining up for their fourth game in nine days.

“It was awful. It was painful watching that spectacle,” Chambers said.

“I certainly let them know how disappointed I was at halftime but it definitely didn’t work this time.

“They are a good team, no doubt, and maybe it was mental fatigue on our behalf, but we certainly didn’t have the right energy out there. We just have to make sure this works as a wake up call.”

Flames import Asia Taylor topscored with 23 points while O’Hea starred for the Boomers with 22.

Cambage score 16, made eight rebounds and five assists as the Flames were out-rebounded 44-29 and beaten resoundingly on the assist count 27-16.

The Flames went into the match off their biggest win of the season, cracking the ton in their 105-75 humbling of Bendigo in the opening game of the round on Thursday.

But the match against Melbourne was never going to be easy for a fatigued Flames side with the Boomers nailing four from five three-pointers to open up an eight point lead in the first period and leading 29-22 at the break.

By halftime the Flames were in serious strife with the Boomers out-scoring them 54-32, out rebounding them 25-12 and shooting at 50 per cent compared to Sydney’s 37 per cent strikerate.

By three quarter time Sydney’s fate looked sealed with the Flames trailing 72-48 at the next break.

A final-period rally came too late to save the Flames with the Boomers avenging their 19 point loss to the Flames last month with their own 23 point win.

The Flames now have over a week before their next WNBL game against the Lynx in Perth on November 19.