11
Jan
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Big Townsville Texan way too much for Flyers
Lauren Cox of the Fire gestures after scoring during the round 11 WNBL match between Townsville Fire and Southside Flyers at Townsville Entertainment Centre on January 11, 2025, in Townsville. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Townsville Fire solidify third on WNBL ladder with 10-point win
- American import Lauren Cox dominates second half
- Courtney Woods stuffs stat sheet, has 17-7-5
- Fire move to 9-5, Southside 4-11
Townsville centre Lauren Cox dominated the second half on both sides of the ball to help propel the Fire to a 73-63 (Game Centre) home win against the Southside Flyers in round 11 of WNBL25 on January 11, 2025.
The 26-year-old Texan scored the bulk of her team-high 25 points after halftime. She finished with 25 on 10-from-17 from the floor, 3-from-5 from three, six boards, two assists, two blocks and a steal. Her defensive presence in the paint altered shots whenever the Flyers attack the rim.
Townsville are third on the WNBL at 9-5 and are right in it while Southside Flyers are languishing on the bottom of the ladder at 4-11.
The first half could only be described as a grind as both teams struggled to score the ball. The Flyers led 29-22 at halftime.
But the Fire broke it open in the the third quarter, forcing the Flyers into a series of turnovers that fuelled a 12-2 run.
Courtney Woods played a pivotal role during this stretch, contributing seven points and a couple of steals to help Townsville build a commanding 15-point lead.
Woods had herself a ball. The 6'0" wing shot 54.5% from the field for 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Southside's Alice Kunek scored her 3000th WNBL point, finishing with nine points on 3-from-11 from the field. Bec Cole struggled from the field, she went just 1-from-9 in 17 minutes, while Naz Hillmon recorded a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds.
Statistically, the Fire's efficiency was the difference-maker. They shot an impressive 44.3% from the field compared to the Flyers' 36.4%, and dominated the rebounding battle 38-32.
