The Perth Lynx have suffered a disappointing 88-69 defeat against the Geelong Venom, a result that belied their strong start and superior record heading into the Tuesday night WNBL fixture.
Promising Start Fades as Fatigue Bites
Entering the game at Geelong Arena with a formidable 4-1 record, the Lynx looked poised for another victory, especially after building a commanding 12-point lead in the second quarter. However, the dynamics of the game shifted dramatically from that point onward.
The home team, Geelong Venom, who held a 1-4 tally before the match, mounted a stunning comeback. They dominated the remainder of the game, outscoring the Lynx 65 points to 34 after Perth's early surge.
Travel and Tough Schedule Take Their Toll
The Lynx's collapse was heavily influenced by a gruelling schedule. The team had played a physically demanding game in Perth just two days prior, on Sunday, where they overcame a final-quarter deficit to secure a win against Southside.
This was followed by a full day of travel on Monday to reach Victoria. In stark contrast, the Geelong Venom have enjoyed a home-ground advantage, not having left Victoria at all this season.
Lynx coach Ryan Petrik confirmed that fatigue was a primary concern. "We knew we'd run into trouble in the second half with the legs," Petrik stated. "Being up by six at half-time probably wasn't quite enough and in the end it was nowhere near enough because we just got spanked in the second half."
Key Performers and Offensive Struggles
For the victorious Geelong side, Mackenzie Holmes was a powerhouse, delivering a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. She was ably supported by Lilly Rotunno, who had a career-best night with 21 points and 10 assists.
Despite the loss, Perth Lynx co-captain Amy Atwell found her rhythm, leading her team's scoring with 22 points, including four successful three-pointers.
However, the match highlighted a recurring issue for the Lynx: inconsistent scoring. Coach Petrik pointed out that this was the sixth quarter this season where the team failed to score 15 points.
"That is one thing we do need to sort out, irrespective of the legs, because that has been a consistent theme," Petrik admitted. "I think we're better defensively this year than last year but clearly right now we are worse offensively."
The Lynx now return to Perth to regroup before a challenging home game against the second-placed Bendigo Spirit on Sunday.
