SYDNEY, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese basketball star Yang Shuyu produced a solid all-round performance on Sunday as the Sydney Flames beat the reigning champions Townsville Fire 90-77 for a fourth straight win of the season in the WNBL.
Yang finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 25 minutes of playing time for the Flames, who stunned the partisan crowd at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Center.
It was a bounce back for Yang, who endured foul trouble and was held scoreless in Flames' 82-70 home victory over the UC Capitals on Friday night. She made 3-of-4 shots from the field, including hitting both her three-point attempts.
"This is a really hard place to play in. I'm really proud of everyone tonight," said Flames star Jazmin Shelley, who finished with a game-high 26 points.
After struggling against the Capitals, a pumped-up Yang was determined to make an impact in the early exchanges.
She hustled hard and grabbed key rebounds, including one that she kicked out to Shelley, whose three-pointer gave Flames a 9-2 lead.
Yang ran the point guard position to perfection and found Maya Dodson with a slick assist before making an easy bucket from inside the paint to break her scoring drought.
The Flames had to endure several comebacks from the Fire, but Yang nailed a three-pointer from the elbow to give her side a 47-41 lead at half-time.
Shelley started the third quarter hot as the Flames ballooned their lead to over 20 points.
The Fire made a charge early in the fourth quarter, but Yang closed the door on them with a clutch three-pointer as the Flames eased to their fourth straight victory.
The Flames will continue their road trip against the Tasmania Jewels on October 31. ■
