PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 26: Tegan Graham of the Lynx celebrates during the round two WNBL match between Perth Lynx and Sydney Flames at Perth High Performance Centre on October 26, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
UPDATE: The Perth Lynx pulled off a breathtaking comeback against the Sydney Flames, erasing a 10-point deficit in the final quarter to secure a 73-67 victory at the Perth High Performance Centre earlier today. This shocking turnaround saw the Lynx deny the Flames a single field goal for nearly eight minutes, demonstrating incredible defensive prowess.
As the third quarter ended, the Lynx faced a daunting situation, having scored only 48 points and committing 19 turnovers. The Flames’ captain, Lauren Nicholson, had dominated the first half with 20 points, leaving the Lynx searching for solutions without their star players, reigning MVP Ally Wilson (knee) and defensive guard Steph Gorman (back).
In a pivotal moment, Lynx player Tegan Graham took on the challenge of guarding Nicholson, effectively neutralizing her scoring ability in the second half. Meanwhile, co-captain Amy Atwell came alive, notching 9 points in the final quarter and finishing the game with 24 points. Anneli Maley also shined, contributing 17 points and 17 rebounds to the Lynx’s victory.
The Flames struggled to find their rhythm, scoring their first points of the final quarter from free throws more than six minutes into the term. The Lynx’s defense was relentless, forcing two shot clock violations during this critical stretch.
Lynx coach Ryan Petrik emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure on the Flames, particularly given their fatigue from playing two games in 48 hours. “We knew it was their second game in 48 hours and they had to fly to Perth whereas it was our first game in a week,” he stated. “We just had to keep it to within 10 for as long as we could.”
Petrik praised Graham’s performance, noting her impact in limiting Nicholson to just 5 points in the second half. “We thought we could guard, but to lock down on Nicholson, who is one of the best guards in the competition, Tegan’s performance was brilliant,” he added.
With this win, the Lynx improve to 2-0 for the season and are optimistic about the return of Wilson and Gorman for their next matchup against Geelong on Saturday.
This thrilling game is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Perth Lynx, showcasing their potential for the remainder of the WNBL season. Fans are eager to see how the team will build on this momentum in their upcoming contests.
