Flames win overtime thriller against Capitals

January 30, 2025 | Sydney Flames news

The Sydney Flames have edged closer to their first finals appearance in seven seasons, by defeating the UC Capitals 92-88 in overtime at the AIS Arena. 

Match summary 

Bigs Charli Collier and Cayla George traded buckets before Shaneice Swain added seven straight to put the Flames up 9-7. Those two Flames continued to cause issues for the host’s defence. When Swain nailed another triple, she had 13 of the Hoops Capital side’s first 17. Despite Swain ending the term with 17 points for the term, the visitors trailed 30-23 at the first change. 

Celeste Taylor, George and Carla Pitman all scored early buckets in the second period, before Tahlia Tupaea converted an and-one. The two rivals then exchanged buckets for large parts of the third, with the game’s physicality stepping it up a notch. Late free-throws by Tupaea were cancelled out by a lay-up by Katie Deeble, as the Capos lead 45-44 at half-time. 

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A Taylor triple put the harbour city side’s noses back in front but that was followed by 10 straight by the hosts, who led 55-47 after a Jade Melbourne triple. That drought was ended by Taylor, who had 12 of the Flames’ first 14 points of the term. A late triple by Tupaea triple made it a one-point game heading into the final minute – which is how it remained (64-63) at the final change. 

A Swain triple opened the scoring in the fourth but the hosts hit back with two scores of their own. A dirty play by Nicole Munger hurt Tupaea midway through the fourth, as the game’s physicality reached an all-time high. The gutsy Flames were rewarded when a Swain corner-three tied it up at 71-all with 4.27 to play. When Taylor converted a set backdoor play, Guy Molloy’s side regained the lead. This was followed by a George corner three but that lead was short-lived, as a Melbourne jumper in the lane made it 78-76 with two minutes to play. Swain’s free-throws tied it up but suspect officiating gave the hosts every chance to take lead but Nyadiew Puoch and Collier missed all their shots from the stripe. With just over a minute to play, Melbourne’s free-throws gave Canberra an 80-78 advantage but once again Swain levelled it up. In the final second, Puoch missed a lay-up to send the game to overtime. 

Brancatisano nailed a three on the opening play of over-time, which was followed by another by George. Pitman’s pair of free-throws put Sydney up by six, which quickly was narrowed to three when Puoch converted an and-one. A driving lay-up by Melbourne tied it all up at 88 with 1.13 to play. The four-point win was sealed by a huge corner three by Taylor and a free-throw by Swain. 

Where the match was decided 

Sydney sealed the win thanks to superior statistics in field goal percentage (43-40), free-throws percentage (81-76), rebounds (49-43), assists (18-14) and second-chance points (15-3). 

Key moment  

With the scores tied at 88-all, Taylor hit the biggest shot of the game, a triple from the right corner, to put Sydney up and give them the momentum – which they never relinquished.  

Player of the game 

Swain and Taylor were enormous for the Flames in the victory 

The former dropped 36 points, six dimes, four rebounds and two steals, while the Ohio State alum tallied 22 points, four assists, three boards, two steals and two blocks. 

While George produced a huge double-double (14 points and 17 boards) in the triumph. 

What’s next 

The Flames, who are now 7-11, return to the AIS Arena on Sunday, February 9, for a 3pm AEDT clash with the Capitals. 

The next home game for Molloy’s side is on Wednesday, February 12 against Townsville at Quaycentre – with tickets still available here. 

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