Brianna blocks Flyers out of WNBL ball game

Written By

basketball.com.au

Brianna blocks Flyers out of WNBL ball game

Brianna Turner of the Lightning shoots during the round six WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Adelaide Lightning at State Basketball Centre on December 6, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Brianna Turner had 11-10 double-double along with five blocks

Adelaide Lightning secures a solid 97-71 win against Southside Flyers
Isabelle Bourne leads with a 21 points on 54.5% from the field.
Southside Flyers struggle with a low three-point percentage of 23.8%.

Adelaide forward Isobel Borlase's bullocking drive from the left 45 that finished with a tough, through contact, finish at the rim after just 18 seconds into the Lightning's road clash against The Flyers set the tone for a dominant 97-71 win (Game Centre) in Round Six WNBL on Friday, December 6, 2024.

The win was just Adelaide's second of the season and denied the Southside Flyers the opportunity to go to .500 on the season. They are now fourth on the ladder at 3-5.

Game Highlights and Key Performances

Adelaide jumped on the defending champs early, breaking out to 28-17 lead at the end of the first quarter, 46-34 at the half and 69-45 after three. The Flyers put up 26 points in the fourth quarter by still lost the last 10 minutes 28-26.

Adelaide Lightning shot 50% from the field and an exceptional 48.1% from beyond the arc. Isabelle Bourne poured in a game-high 21 points and grabbed four rebounds. Japreece Dean and Brooke Basham added 16 and 17 points respectively.

Brianna Turner was dominate on both sides of the ball, putting together double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds) as well as five blocks.

Issie Bourne of the Lightning drives to the basket during the round six WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Adelaide Lightning at State Basketball Centre on December 6, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

In contrast, the Southside Flyers struggled offensively, particularly from three, hit just 23.8% on 5-from-21. Flyers' Australian Opal Alice Kunek, coming off a 21-point (4-of-5 from three) performance against UC Capitals, just couldn't get it going. She had six points on 2-of-11 shooting. Dallas Loughridge led game in scoring with 23 points on a highly efficient 8-for-12 from the field, while Naz Hillmon's double-double was the only real highlight for the Flyers. She finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Looking Ahead

Adelaide completes its two-game road trip — a round six double-header — against (2-4) Geelong United (Game Centre) on Sunday, December 8, 2024 while The Flyers take on Geelong United at home (Game Centre) in the first game of Round Seven on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the State Basketball Centre.