ROUND 1 PLAYER OF THE WEEK- SARAH STEWART
After winning the bronze medal in 2016, Sydney Uni Flames will be aiming to move higher up on the podium this season and their form through Round 1, led by Sarah Stewart, has them in good stead following the first weekend of competition.
Stewart recorded two triple-doubles and a double-double in four games through Round 1 to finish with an average of 14.3 points, 11 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 1.3 steals while the Flames went 3-1.
She started off the weekend in red hot form, recording a triple-double of 16 points, ten boards and ten assists as her side took care of the Kilsyth Cobras, 75-29, on Friday night.
Stewart shot 7-16 from the field and nailed both her free-throws while a game-high three steals helped the Flames to a 16-10 edge in points off turnovers.
The following morning she played every minute of a contest against the Sydney Metro Blues, tallying another triple-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists while shooting 6-13 from the field.
Sydney Uni won 57-43 with Stewart’s defence once again playing a critical role in the victory as the Blues were held to 36% shooting.
Hitting the court again just four hours later, Stewart showed no signs of fatigue as she once again played every minute in a 57-29 win over Red Dust Lady Heelers.
Her 21 points and eight assists were both game-high’s and she added 14 rebounds (including five offensive boards) as well as two steals in a complete performance.
That work on the glass helped the Flames to eight second chance points while she was dominant under the rim, giving Sydney Uni a 36-14 advantage in the paint on 9-18 shooting.
Sydney Uni were unable to complete a sweep of Round 1 on Sunday, falling to the Be Active Western Stars by just three points.
Stewart was unable to maintain her touch around the rim, scoring only eight points but she still had a major impact on the contest with nine rebounds and a game-high 12 assists.
Trailing by 11 at the main break, the Flames clawed their way back into the match and even took the lead in the fourth quarter as Stewart recorded three assists in the final term.
The comeback ultimately fell just short but it was not enough to knock the Flames off the top of the ladder where they sit at the end of Round 1.
Sarah Stewart Round 1 Stats: 14.3 points at 43% shooting, 11 rebounds (2.5 offensive), 10.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
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