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AAP
AAP
Murray Wenzel

Jackson stars as Flyers win in her 200th WNBL game

Lauren Jackson scored 20 points for the Southside Flyers in her 200th WNBL game. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Lauren Jackson scored 20 points in a 200th WNBL game 26 years in the making to help the Southside Flyers pip the Melbourne Boomers and move into second place on the ladder.

The 42-year-old is on track for a fifth Olympic campaign after earning selection in next month's qualifying tournament in Brazil.

And the seven-time WNBA All-Star tuned up with a match-turning hand on Sunday, the Flyers going 2-0 for the weekend to improve to 10-6 and drop the Boomers (10-7) to third with three rounds to play.

It followed Jackson's season-high 28 points against the Sydney Flames a week earlier.

Sara Blicavs missed two three-point attempts in the final three seconds that would have stolen a win for the Boomers. 

Leilani Mitchell (19 points) left the door ajar after missing both free throws, having earlier given the Flyers the decisive lead by making both attempts from the stripe.

Boomers imports Naz Hillmon and Jordin Canada had 20 and 21 points respectively.

Jackson made her WNBL debut in 1998, playing more than 150 games over 10 years for the Canberra Capitals, while also dominating in the WNBA for Seattle.

She retired ahead of the Rio Olympics because of chronic knee pain, but made a comeback and starred in the Opals' bronze medal campaign in the 2022 World Cup.

The Flyers began the round with an 84-57 defeat of the Bendigo Spirit, who rebounded on Saturday to beat Perth Lynx for the first time in seven years on the road.

Mehryn Kraker was the star for the Spirit with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.

In other games, the Sydney Flames had big wins over the Adelaide Lightning and UC Capitals, and the Lightning upset top-of-the-table Townsville, who have already qualified for the semi-finals.

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