NBL1 North Recap | Friday Women's Round 3

Round 3 in the NBL1 North Women's competition got underway in Townsville on Friday night with the Flames overrunning the South West Metro Pirates for a 71-61 victory.

At Townsville StarFM Stadium, the Flames started well and then finished well for the eventual 10-point victory against the Pirates to improve to a perfect 3-0 record on the season while the Pirates slip to 0-3 to begin their double-header weekend on the road.

Round 3 in the NBL1 North Women's season will now ramp up significantly on Saturday night with the Southern Districts Spartans hosting the Brisbane Capitals while the Cairns Dolphins are at home to the South West Metro Pirates, and the Gold Coast Rollers take on USC Rip City.

The Mackay Meteorettes will also be hosting the Rockhampton Cyclones with the Sunshine Coast Phoenix battling the Northside Wizards, the North Gold Coast Seahawks taking on the Ipswich Force, and then finally the Darwin Salties at home to Logan Thunder.

The round will then wrap up on Sunday with the Ipswich Force at home to Red City Roar at JBS Stadium.

NBL1 NORTH – 2022 WOMEN'S SEASON
ROUND 3 – FRIDAY NIGHT

TOWNSVILLE FLAMES 71 defeated SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES 61

The Townsville Flames continued their undefeated start to the 2022 season with a 10-point home win against the South West Metro Pirates.

The Flames were at home at Townsville StarFM Stadium to host the Pirates on Friday night with the home team attempting to remain unbeaten the visitors searching still for their first win of 2022.

Townsville opened up on fire too building off their first two wins of the season to lead 20-12 by quarter-time, but the Pirates hadn’t come north without being willing to throw everything at notching that elusive first victory.

South West hit back impressive in the second quarter putting up 23 points to 15 and that meant scores were all tied at 35-35 heading into the half-time interval.

The Pirates continued on with that momentum with another 15 points to 12 in the third quarter. Alissa Alston then stretched their lead to five early in the fourth quarter but gradually the Flames were able to take over.

The home team just had too much firepower down the stretch to put 24 points to 11 in the fourth quarter to win 71-61 and improve to a perfect 3-0 record on the season while the Pirates slipped to 0-3.

Townsville dominated the glass with 50 rebounds to 31 for the game including 15 offensive boards to eight. The Flames also ended up shooting a little better going 41.3 per cent from the floor opposed to the 34.9 per cent from the Pirates.

Courtney Woods was terrific for Townsville finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists with Steph Reid delivering 14 points, seven boards and three assists, Aliza Fabbro 12 points and four rebounds, and Mia Murray 10 points and seven boards.

Alissa Alston ended the evening with 13 points for South West with Steph Bairstow contributing 13 points, Bride Kennedy-Hopoate 12 points and six rebounds, and Catherine MacGregor eight points.