It took 10 extra minutes to separate the league's top 2 teams, but Townsville stormed to the summit of the WNBL ladder on the back of an eighth straight win. The hosts had to beat the Boomers twice though. They led by 9 points midway through the final quarter before Melbourne rattled off a succession of successful shots, while the buckets dried up at the other end, leaving the scores tied 76 all, at the end of regulation time. While neither side skipped out to a clear lead in the extra period, pressure mounted on the JCU Fire to level up again in the dying stages. Shyla Heal hit a clutch three pointer, her second in overtime.
"It definitely wasn't the plan! The ball just came back to me and Shannon's encouraged me to be aggressive and confident, so yeah I hit them thank gosh."
The point guard's first home game since returning to the club couldn't have been more dramatic.
"I definitely missed the crowd and we put on a good performance for them, you could tell they were getting really into it. But I'm just really happy to be back and under Shannon again so yeah really happy."
Happiness and relief were overriding emotions at full time as our women charged late in the second extra period to secure a 101-95 victory. Tianna Hawkins had enough energy to somehow slot 3 baskets during it, despite not getting a rest on the bench for the entire game. The import finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Fellow American Karlie Samuelson starred throughout the contest. She dropped 31 points, most of which when defence dominated, before tired legs led to easier scoring opportunities.
"I think it's important to be aggressive from the start. They're a really good team but I'm just really proud of our girls."
It was little wonder both sets of players were weary after the epic encounter, given its ferocious nature. Steph Reid's running battle with Kristy Wallace was merciless. She typified Townsville's tenacity.
"It was definitely a game plan coming in, you know Melbourne's a very physical team and we knew we had to match that."
The blockbuster was a bruising battle for Lauren Nicholson to make her return in. The captain probably played more than she had planned coming back from 3 games out with a foot injury.
Next up is the Spirit on Saturday night. Bring on Bendigo at the Fire Pit. A bumper crowd is expected. Tickets are selling fast!
