The South East Queensland Stars have bounced back from a poor performance in a round 12 loss against Dandenong by defeating the reigning WNBL champions the Townsville Fire by 10 points on Saturday in Townsville.
The Stars were badly undermanned against the Fire but pulled off the gutsy 90-80 win behind a balanced scoring attack that included 21 points from Bec Allen and 16 from Rachel Jarry, as well as 12 points from Nadeen Payne and 20 from Lauren Mansfield, though the Stars first half spark was import Jordan Hooper who scored all of her 19 points before half time.
The Stars went into the game without new import Jacinta Monroe after the league rescinded their permission for the Stars to play Monroe after the WNBL’s other clubs lodged a protest against the decision. Monroe was brought in as a short term replacement for Ify Ibekwe, who has returned to the United States on compassionate leave. The Logan based club was also without defensive stopper Amy Lewis, who may be out for some time after injuring her quadricep muscle.
The win is the Stars’ second over the Fire, and moves their record to nine wins and eight losses and keeps them in the hunt for a finals berth in their inaugural season.
The Stars next game is at home against the struggling Canberra Capitals on January 23.
