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Perth Lynx beat Sydney Uni Flames in WNBL as WNBA pair Marina Mabrey and Jackie Young star

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Craig O'DonoghueThe West Australian
Marina Mabrey scored 34 points in a brilliant display.
Camera IconMarina Mabrey scored 34 points in a brilliant display. Credit: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Perth Lynx import Marina Mabrey put on her superhero cape to score 34 points and inspire her clearly flat teammates to a come-from-behind victory over Sydney Uni Flames on Sunday.

The Lynx started terribly against the winless Flames and looked like a team that has been working through the impact of WA’s border closure. But with Mabrey only in Australia to play basketball, she grabbed the responsibility to lift her team to victory after they trailed by 13 points during the third quarter.

“I know they have families back home, jobs back home and everyone’s reality is different,” the American said.

“I’m jut trying to be there to pick them and make this present moment for them enjoyable until they figure out what’s next for them.”

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Marina Mabrey was a superhero for the Perth Lynx.
Camera IconMarina Mabrey was a superhero for the Perth Lynx. Credit: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Fellow American Jackie Young was also crucial when it mattered, scoring six of her 13 points in a 90 second patch late in the game to give Perth the lead.

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Lynx coach Ryan Petrik said they were superb.

“Marina was incredible,” he said.

“As we said from day one, we thought we were getting a special player and it’s clear we have. When Marina was going, we just wanted the ball in her hands

“Jackie is still building herself up but we’ve been seeing that from her at practice. She’s probably only going at 75 per cent at the moment.’

Lauren Scherf scored 12 points and had nine rebounds while Darcee Garbin finished with 13 points and four rebounds.

Former Lynx captain Lauren Mansfield starred for the Flames with 24 points while another ex-Perth player, Shyla Heal, had 19 points, five rebounds and seven assists.

Jackie Young’s final quarter was dynamic for  Perth.
Camera IconJackie Young’s final quarter was dynamic for Perth. Credit: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

But Petrik said the win was cold consolation given everyone was shattered by the WA border news.

“We had it confirmed by Basketball Australia in a Zoom meeting a week before McGowan changed his mind that we wouldn’t have to quarantine,” he said.

“So when he changed his mind, everyone was pretty pissed off. We’re part time coaches. A lot of our players are part time and still working while we’re over here.

“We’ve got to find a way to organise businesses and see if we can get more time off work. That’s the tough stuff.”

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