Rnd 9: Flames Men too good for Bearcats
By Mark Halliday
Norwood Flames 88 | West Adelaide Bearcats 66
The Norwood Flames put together an impressive team effort to pull away from the West Adelaide Bearcats in the second half as they emerged victorious, 88-66 at Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Flames gained the early advantage, outscoring their opponents 27-15 in the opening quarter as the Bearcats struggled to hold onto the ball and their multiple attempts from beyond the arc were off target. Daniel Webber (24 points, 5 rebounds) had 9 points in the first.
However fortunes were reversed in the second quarter as West Adelaide took the upper hand. Their focus on the long shot started to pay off as Tristan Braithwaite (16 points, 4/7 3P), Demetrius Perkins (17 points), Chol Luk (10 points, 5 rebounds) and Lucas Valk (5 points, 3 assists) all connected from deep. Braithwaite's first three gave the Bearcats the lead with 2:51 left in the half.
Norwood found their footing after a sluggish showing in the second quarter. Matt Lycett (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals) found the net while Andrew Webber (11 points) and Matt Long (10 points, 5 rebounds) converted their opportunities at the line for a slim 1 point advantage at half time.
After trading baskets early in the third, Norwood took the lead for good on a Lycett triple with 7:18 left in the quarter. The Flames continued to hold a small lead but with under 4 minutes to play, they limited the home side to just 2 points as they scored 11 to lead 66-55 with one quarter to play.
The Bearcats were held scoreless yet again to begin the quarter until Braithwaite made a pair of free throws to get them on the board. Norwood's lead was 13 by that stage as Ian O'Boyle (9 points, 3/6 3P) nailed a pair of triples to start the fourth.
Things were unravelling for the Bearcats and they couldn't find their earlier form to be able to make a run at the Flames. Daniel and Andrew Webber were consistent, O'Boyle hit another three and Jacob Holmes (9 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists) did a little bit of everything throughout the course of the game as Norwood were able to send in their bench unit and cruise to victory.
Round 10: Saturday, 21 May at 8.15pm
Norwood Flames v Woodville Warriors @ St Clair
West Adelaide v North Adelaide @ Port Adelaide
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