Sydney University Flames win first WNBL championship since 2001, beat Dandenong Rangers
SYDNEY UNI FLAMES 75
(L Mitchell 15, B Snell 15, T Tupaea 11, A Taylor 11)
d
DANDENONG RANGERS 62
(S Cumming 17, A Clydesdale 13, S Blicavs 10)
at Dandenong Basketball Stadium
All WNBL grand final series Belinda Snell watched and waited for her chance. Her Sydney University Flames had waited 16 years for another championship following their 2001 title and when the moment came, the captain wasn't going to let it slip.
Grinners: The winning Sydney team with the 2017 WNBL grand final trophy. Credit:Mick Connolly
In the third term of Friday night's game two against Dandenong Rangers, Snell's chance arrived.
The Flames were fighting to take hold of the lead, the Rangers were at home and scrapping to stay in the series and force game three in Sydney.
Out of reach: Ranger Steph Cumming looks to drag in a loose ball. Credit:Mick Connolly
Then an open three presented itself and Snell knocked it down, another one came soon after and she hit that followed by a two-pointer as the Flames broke out to a lead.
A long three came later in the term and despite the Rangers best efforts they went into three-quarter time down 58-48 and the game was in the Flames' hands – Snell had gone from two points to 15 points.
In the last term the Rangers' tried all they could, led by Steph Cumming (17 points), to restart their offence but with every miss point guard Leilani Mitchell (15 points), Snell (15 points, 11 rebounds), Tahlia Tupaea (11 points) and others pushed the ball and found a good shot as seven Flames' scored seven points or more in a 75-62 win.
The Flames won the series 2-0 with Mitchell winning the Rachael Sporn medal as grand final most valuable player.
Sydney import Asia Taylor drags in a rebound over Sara Blicavs. Credit:Mick Connolly
When the full-time buzzer rang out, Snell had a bright smile on her face as the Flames celebrated their championship – for a player who was part of the Flames' 2001 championship but last year was cut from the Rio Olympics and released by Bendigo Spirit, it was a special victory.
"It's been such a long time and it's so exciting to take this back to Sydney," Snell said.
"It's been 16 years and there have been some tough grand final losses in between so I'm so happy to share this with the girls."
Snell said third-quarter run simply a case of right place and right time.
That's the thing with this team, we always have different people standing up at different moments – I was lucky enough to have a few go in
Belinda Snell
"That's the thing with this team, we always have different people standing up at different moments – I was lucky enough to have a few go in," Snell said.
"We have a lot of weapons and every game someone does the job. I'm so happy we have had this win together."
Flames coach Cheryl Chambers took on the job in the off-season and has been commuting from Melbourne, where her family is based, to Sydney to coach the club.
Chambers was looked over for several coaching jobs in recent years but she rewarded the Flames with a title.
"There has been a few tears already and I'm sure there will be more as the night goes on – to win this is amazing," Chambers said.
The Rangers knew Jacinta Kennedy might be playing her last game so they threw her into the starting five and the much-loved veteran helped spark the home side to an early lead.
Two three-pointers from Aimie Clydesdale pushed the lead to 22-11 but five late points from Flames' rookie guard Lauren Nicholson cut that lead to 22-16 at quarter time.
Just as they did in game one, the Flames went back to attacking the basket in the second term and it swung the game in their favour as Jennifer Hamson, Asia Taylor and Tahlia Tupaea all found baskets and the physical battle inside got testy before some fouls were called.
Lauren Scherf's inclusion off the Rangers bench helped them slow the Flames but after Mitchell's three gave the visitors the lead midway through the term, they were still in front 38-37 at half time.
But Snell's hot run coincided with the Rangers' offence going cold and while they made a mini-run halfway through the term, the Flames still led 58-48 at the final break.
The only negative for the Flames was Taylor picking up her third foul, but that forced the Flames to go to their small line-up which helped spring Snell free.
In the last term the Flames' kept control and raised the title.
They don't plan on waiting another 16 years for the next one.