22
Dec
4 min read
Rejuvenated Lightning are on a three-game roll
The Lightning celebrates at full time during the round eight WNBL match between Sydney Flames and Adelaide Lightning at Quay Centre, on December 22, 2024, in Sydney. Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
Adelaide Lightning stun Sydney Flames with 86-73 victory in WNBL clash
- Isobel Borlase's 22-point performance propels Adelaide Lightning to victory
- Brianna Turner dominates boards with 14 rebounds for Adelaide
- Sydney Flames struggle despite Tahlia Tupaea's 18-point effort
Scott Ninnis is 2-0 as head coach of the Adelaide Lightning after a big 13-point — 86-73 — road win against the Sydney Flames in Round 8 of the WNBL on December 22, 2024 (Game Centre).
Ninnis has been in the job less than a week and already has the Lightning playing better basketball. They've now won three straight since they "mutually" parted ways with Nat Hurst in early December and are now 5-6 on the season.
Borlase shines as Lightning strike
Isobel Borlase led all scorers with an impressive 22-point performance to help the Adelaide Lightning secure a crucial road victory. She shot 41.2% from the field and was near perfect from the free-throw line, going 8-of-9.
The Lightning's balanced attack had four players score in double figures, with Brianna Turner contributing a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Steph Talbot also filled the stat sheet with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Flames struggle to ignite offense
Despite a valiant effort from Tahlia Tupaea, who led the Flames with 18 points, Sydney struggled to find their rhythm offensively. The team shot just 35.8% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc, failing to keep pace with Adelaide's efficient 50.8% shooting.
Celeste Taylor added 15 points and six rebounds for Sydney, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lightning's dominance in the paint, where they outscored the Flames 52-26.
The loss drops Sydney's record to 4-6 for the season, while Adelaide improves to 5-6.
What's Next
Adelaide Lightning face Bendigo Spirit (Game Centre) at home on December 27, 2024 in the first game of Round 9 while the Flames face Southside Flyers (Game Centre) at home on Monday, December 30, 2024.
