Bracatisiano fires Flames into WNBL finals spot

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Bracatisiano fires Flames into WNBL finals spot

The Sydney Flames have sewed up a WNBL finals spot after Isabella Bracatisiano spearheaded a crucial 86-71 win over the UC Capitals.

Bracatisiano stepped up when Cayla George (foot) was a late withdrawal through injury, draining a game-high 26 points in Sunday’s contest.

The 20-year-old, who had averaged just 4.0 points a game for the season, drained 8-of-12 three-point attempts to go with seven rebounds and four steals.

The result locked in fourth spot for Sydney (8-11), while the Capitals (7-13) are out of contention with one round left in the regular season.

Celeste Taylor (23 points, seven rebounds) was another key contributor for the Flames alongside Shaneice Swain, who had 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists – but also committed nine of her team’s 16 turnovers.

Bracatisiano helped limit Capitals captain ***** Melbourne to just four points, while Nyadiew Puoch (21 points) lifted in stages for the home side.

Sydney’s win ended the Capitals’ finals hopes and came as Adelaide Lightning’s top-four chances also went up in smoke in an 84-78 road loss to last-placed Southside.

Carley Ernst (16 points) led the scoring for the last-placed Flyers, while Dallas Loughridge continued her breakout season with 15 points and three assists.

Brianna Turner was Adelaide’s best with 18 points, 19 rebounds and three steals.

Southside’s win ended an eight-game losing streak.

“It’s taken a while but credit to our girls,” Flyers coach Krisit Harrower said.

“They’ve handled so much adversity this year through all the injuries that we’ve had and people going away for weddings and then Naz (Hillmon) going away to America (for personal reasons).

“The thing I give them credit for is they’re still playing hard each game that we step on the floor and they’re still a group that’s trying to do the hard things.

“They did that today and they showed that today, and we finally held on for a win.”

Adelaide’s loss to Southside completed a double-blow in round 15 after they were beaten at home by Townsville in a 90-63 rout on Wednesday night.

Alicia Froling (22 points) and Lauren Cox (16 points, 11 rebounds) led the way for the Fire, who sit third with a 14-5 record.

Perth Lynx (15-5) also underlined their status as one of the leading challengers to ladder leaders Bendigo, thrashing Geelong United 95-77 at home on Friday night.

Miela Sowah (22 points) and Stephanie Gorman (19) top-scored for the Lynx, while Jazmin Shelley (25 points, six assists) fought hard for Geelong.

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