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Perth Lynx lose WNBL match to Melbourne Boomers after wasting their chances at free throw line

Headshot of Craig O'Donoghue
Craig O'DonoghueThe West Australian
The Lynx endured a frustrating night during the loss to Melbourne.
Camera IconThe Lynx endured a frustrating night during the loss to Melbourne. Credit: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

Perth Lynx have paid a high price for a horror night at the free throw line, losing to the Melbourne Boomers 80-77 in Ballarat.

The Lynx again started superbly and led by 12 points before Melbourne could blink but repeatedly wasted chances from there. Perth made only 11 of their 19 free throws compared to Melbourne finishing with 18 baskets from 20 free throws much to coach Ryan Petrik’s frustration.

“That was certainly on the whiteboard after the game. The message was you are professional athletes so make your free throws,” he said.

Sami Whitcomb score 10 points at 27 per cent from the field.
Camera IconSami Whitcomb score 10 points at 27 per cent from the field. Credit: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

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“We’ve got good shooters and shouldn’t go 11-19. I’m going to assume it’s a blip on the radar and try not to over react with it.”

Perth were playing their third game in six days and still have a match to come against Canberra on Wednesday. They looked fatigued and frustrated at key periods of the match.

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Dominant American Marina Mabrey fouled out during a night where she scored only 10 points and import Jackie Young had six turnovers. Darcee Garbin and Lauren Scherf both scored 18 points but Petrik said the Lynx fell into the trap of players trying to do too much by themselves.

“We had 12 assists in the first half and scored 47 points. Then we had only five assists in the second half and that gave us 30,” Petrik said.

“When you look at that, the game can be pretty simple. The ball looked really sticky in our hands. We’re not going to beat them if we’re playing one on five.”

Olympian Cayla George gave the Lynx problems all night with 19 points and 11 rebounds, import Tiffany Mitchell top scored with 22 points and Ezi Magbegor produced 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

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