By Mark Halliday

Norwood Flames 92 | Forestville Eagles 66

The Norwood Flames easily handled the Forestville Eagles as they run away with a huge 26 point victory with an impressive showing in the first half that set up the win.

The Flames broke a first quarter deadlock with a pair of triples from Taylor Ortlepp and poured on the points to be in command of the game and leading 54-27 at half time.

Interior ball movement was the key for Norwood in the early part of the game as the ball glided from hand to hand for excellent looks inside and out. Similarly, on the defensive end, their rotations and ability to prevent easy drives and contesting every shot allowed the Flames to pull away from the Eagles.

Forestville were struggling getting open looks for most of the first half, Olivia Thompson was almost always met by two defenders inside while Morgan Yaeger's attempts to get to the basket were met with stifling defence.

After the major break, the Eagles were able to match the Flames the rest of the way. Sarah Petrie had consecutive buckets from the paint which spurred a more structured Forestville to closed the gap slightly. However, they couldn't match that same execution on the defensive end as the Flames' multiple offensive threats continued to keep Forestville at a distance.

Cara Annetts did damage from inside and the beyond the arc in her 20 point, six rebound, five assist performance. Chelsea Brook's (18 points) height proved difficult to stop as she could just shoot over the top of everyone else while Jess Good (16 points, six rebounds) was automatic from deep, connecting on five triples.

Forestville's Thompson led all scorers with 21 and 12 rebounds, Samantha Defrancesco added 14 and Yaeger finished with 11 on a tough shooting night as the Eagles dropped their first game of the season.

BLOCKBUSTER ROUND: Saturday, 9 April at Wayville

Forestville Eagles V Sturt Sabres @ 3.00pm

Norwood Flames V South Adelaide Panthers @ 6.30pm