Lightning strike puts out Flames

By Heather Smith, SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 13th April, 1996

Magnificent Australian Opals forward Carla Boyd inspired reigning premiers Adelaide Lightning to a first-up Women's National League victory last night when they overran the Sydney Flames 80-73 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Boyd cut the Flames' vaunted pressure defence to shreds with a dominant inside performance which netted her a match-high 22 points.

Fellow Opal Michelle Brogan gave Sydney further misery with a 14-point second half, giving the Lightning a four-game winning streak over the Flames.

Despite Sydney's eight-point half-time lead, they could not maintain pressure on Adelaide's talent-laden line-up.

A horror defensive flat patch early in the second period presented Adelaide with an 8-0 scoring run, thus putting them ahead of the home side for only the second time in the match.

A brief spurt edged the Flames back into contention seven minutes from the end but once again their opponents broke away to a 10-point lead.

The sterling efforts of in-form forward Shellie Sandie brought Sydney to within two points less than a minute from the end.

However, an untimely offensive foul called on guard Annie La Fleur gave Adelaide possession and, effectively, the game.

Further free throws from Brogan sealed the issue.

The Flames were ably served by point guard Michele Timms's 21 points and Sandie's 19.

Sandie stood out as the only Sydney player not to become bogged down in offence.

The former WNBL Most Valuable Player was in sparkling form, in the first half particularly.

Adelaide, no slouches defensively, applied plenty of pressure but the Flames were guilty of not capitalising on their opportunities.