Woods adds fuel to Fire, Swain has 40

• Courtney Woods has 21 in 14-point win against Sydney
• Shaneice Swain on fire, delivers 40-piece in Flames loss
• Townsville locks up playoff spot

Townsville Fire's red-hot offense, led by Courtney Woods' 21-point performance, was too much for the Sydney to handle, despite an outstanding 40-point effort from the Flames Shaneice Swain.

The Fire extinguished the Sydney Flames' hopes with a decisive 89-75 victory (Game Centre) on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, the

Townsville came out blazing in the first quarter, establishing an early lead that they would never relinquish.

As the game progressed, the Fire's balanced attack and superior rebounding began to take its toll. Nia Coffey provided a crucial spark off the bench, draining four three-pointers en route to 16 points, while Lauren Cox dominated the paint with 10 points, eight rebounds, and 4 blocks. The Fire's ability to share the ball was evident, as they racked up 22 assists compared to Sydney's 13.

Despite Swain's herculean efforts, the Flames struggled to find consistent offensive support. Cayla George, typically a reliable scorer for Sydney, was held to just four points on 2-from-7 shooting before fouling out. The Fire's defensive pressure was relentless, forcing 18 Sydney turnovers and converting them into easy transition baskets.

The statistics tell the tale of Townsville's dominance. The Fire out-rebounded the Flames 41-27, including a 13-4 advantage on the offensive glass.

This led to crucial second-chance opportunities, with Townsville scoring 18 points off offensive rebounds compared to Sydney's four. The Fire also displayed their depth, with their bench outscoring Sydney's reserves 32-14.

Woods, the standout performer for Townsville, showcased her all-around game with 21 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

For Sydney, Swain's 40-point explosion on 16-from-25 shooting, including seven three-pointers, was a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing evening.

The victory solidifies Townsville's third-placed on the WNBL ladder, while Sydney's playoff hopes take a significant hit.