The Geelong Venom secured a commanding 105-77 victory over the Sydney Flames in a Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) match at the RAC Arena on January 6, 2024. This decisive win marked a significant moment for the Venom, especially with the return of American player Alissa Pili, who had been sidelined due to injury and illness.
Pili, making her first start since December 20, showcased her skills with an impressive performance, scoring 28 points and providing seven assists. Alongside her, teammate and MVP contender Mackenzie Holmes also contributed 28 points, along with 15 rebounds and four blocks. Despite this victory, Geelong’s chances of reaching the finals remain slim, as they currently hold a record of 5-14, similar to the Adelaide Lightning.
Geelong’s win proved detrimental to Sydney’s playoff aspirations, dropping the Flames to a 6-14 record. They now sit just one win away from the fourth-placed Southside Melbourne Flyers and the UC Capitals, both at 7-9. Nonetheless, the Flames still retain a mathematical chance of making the finals.
Chris Lucas, the head coach of Geelong, expressed relief in having Pili back on the court. “It was nice to have Pili on the floor,” he stated. “Up until today, she’s played 23 minutes the whole year. She gives us another scoring avenue, which builds confidence.” Lucas noted that the turning point in the game came in the third quarter, where Geelong’s defense limited Sydney to just one offensive rebound.
The match featured a standout moment from Venom captain Jaz Shelley, who scored a remarkable three-pointer just as the halftime buzzer sounded. This marked the second time in the month that Shelley made a buzzer-beater, having previously scored from halfway against the Townsville Fire on January 6.
The game had its challenges for Geelong. After an early surge where Holmes led the Venom to a 16-4 advantage, Sydney responded with a 17-4 run to take a narrow lead at the end of the first quarter. The teams exchanged scores in the second quarter, but Pili’s stellar performance helped Geelong establish a 54-48 lead at halftime.
As the game progressed, Geelong’s dominance in the paint, complemented by effective ball movement, allowed them to extend their lead to 25 points by the end of the third quarter. They also set a new league record for assists in a single game, achieving a total of 33 assists throughout the match.
Despite the loss, Sydney showcased commendable individual performances with five players scoring in double figures. Notably, Unique Thompson contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Keely Froling added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Flames coach Renae Garlepp expressed disappointment in her team’s performance, stating, “It was pretty disappointing for us. I thought we came out pretty flat. We can’t afford to do that, and we got punished as a result.”
As the WNBL season progresses, both teams will look to build on this match’s outcomes, with Geelong aiming to capitalize on their momentum and Sydney seeking to regroup and remain in contention for a playoff spot.
