Batkovic breaks WNBL scoring record

November 29, 2018 | Townsville Fire news

JCU Townsville Fire captain Suzy Batkovic has officially become the greatest ever scorer in the history of the Chemist Warehouse WNBL.

Trailing Rachael Sporn by 18 points entering tonight, Batkovic drew level with the Adelaide Lightning legend early in the third quarter as Bendigo import Barb Turner was ejected from the game.

A trademark left-hand hook just minutes later had Townsville Stadium on their feet as Batkovic eclipsed her former Australian teammate to claim the league’s scoring record.

To add insult to injury, the Fire posted their second biggest win ever over the Spirit as they clinched a 93-51 victory thanks to 24 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocks from the six-time WNBL MVP.

Three-time championship winner Micaela Cocks chimed in with 17 points, while Ally Malott continued her purple patch with 13 points and five rebounds off the bench.

“I’m sure it will mean more to me when I retire but there’s no doubt I’m still proud of the record,” Batkovic said.

“I think it would be easier if I wasn’t dislodging Rachael – she’s such a good person and I was so fortunate to paly with her at the Athens Olympics – so it’s hard to take that from her.

“But I’m glad it’s done now and we can get on with defending our title for the remainder of the season.”

Moving within striking distance of the top-four, the Fire sent an ominous warning to the remainder of the competition as they led from wire-to-wire in their Hoops for Troops fixture.

Looking every bit like the defending champions, Cocks opened the Fire’s account before Malott entered the fray and cooly knocked down two triples.

With the lead approaching double figures, the Spirit were desperate to find answers but Batkovic was proving a handful in the paint and their shooters had come to play.

At quarter-time, the Fire led 22-13 before Malott knocked down her third triple to start the second term.

Batkovic continued to prove a forced to be reckoned with and threatened Sporn’s record approaching half-time as Cocks assumed the hot hand.

Leading 45-24 at the main change, the 37-year-old made two quick baskets to start the final term before drawing level with Sporn as Turner was thrown from the game.

After two near misses, the five-time WNBL championship winner finally etched her name into history before taking a seat midway through the final term.

The sizeable lead allowed Claudia Brassard to clear her bench, with Townsville Alex Fowler becoming the 108th player to represent the Fire since 2001.

The teenage sensation was met with warm applause as she pulled down two boards during her first sub in the WNBL.

The Fire will look to stretch their winning streak to three on Saturday when they travel to Melbourne to face the Boomers in the Fox Sports Game of the Week from 2pm.

Click here to see full box scores between the Fire and the Spirit.

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