Adelaide Lightning opened its WNBL26/27 campaign on the road on Sunday, falling 95-68 to the Sydney Flames at the Quaycentre.
In the first outing for a new-look Lightning roster, there were plenty of positive signs through the opening half before Sydney pulled away with a strong second-half performance.
American guard Shay Ciezki impressed on her WNBL debut, leading the Lightning with 17 points and two steals, while Zitina Aokuso recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in her first game for Adelaide.
With captain Steph Talbot unavailable as she continues her return following the WNBA season, the opening-round clash provided the first opportunity for a significantly refreshed Lightning group to take the floor together in WNBL action.
Ciezki made an immediate impact, scoring eight points in the opening quarter as Adelaide remained within one at the first break, trailing 17-16.
The Lightning continued to challenge Sydney in the second term and produced an 8-0 run to put pressure on the home side. The Flames responded late in the quarter to take a seven-point advantage into half-time.
Sydney found another gear after the main break, with its outside shooting proving difficult to contain. Jaz Shelley and Chinese international Yang Shuyu finished with 20 points apiece, while Lauren Nicholson recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Despite the margin growing in the second half, Head Coach Aja Parham-Ammar was encouraged by the fight shown by her group in their first game together.
“We didn't quit. We kept playing, and we know that there's another level,” Parham-Ammar said.
“There was just some fatigue, a little bit of [a lack of] cohesiveness, being our first time together. But this is game one.”
The Flames took control through the third quarter before carrying their momentum into the final period to secure the 95-68 result.
For Adelaide, the opening-round contest provided an important first step for a group featuring several new faces and combinations as the Lightning continue to build cohesion early in the season.
The Lightning will now turn their attention to their first home game of the WNBL26/27 season, with an opportunity to respond in front of the Adelaide faithful.
Sydney Flames 95 – Adelaide Lightning 68
Lightning leading scorers:
Shay Ciezki – 17 points, 2 steals
Zitina Aokuso – 12 points, 10 rebounds
