A Han Xu-less Perth Lynx have overcome a sluggish start to keep their WNBL top-two aspirations in check, as they defeated the Sydney Flames 76-57.
After the 211cm-tall superstar was ruled out with a back injury minutes before both teams took the Qudos Bank Arena court, the usually razzle-dazzle Lynx were held to 30 points and just two triples at halftime.
Despite their early blushes, it wasn't Perth's usual superstars that shone brightest as Han's replacement, Yemiyah Morris (13 rebounds, three blocks), and substitute Steph Gorman stepped up, grabbing 12 and 17 points respectively.
Guard Alex Ciabattoni had 16 points and five assists while Anneli Maley manufactured another double-double (13 points, 16 rebounds) in a game which started at 9am for fans in Perth.
In the Flames' annual PinkHoops match, a fundraiser for the McGrath Foundation, both teams honoured former Sydney player Tiana Mangakahia on Sunday, who lost her life to breast cancer last September.
The Flames used the emotional occasion to their advantage, threatening to beat a second top-three team this month after downing the Bendigo Spirit 89-78 on January 5.
But being held to just eight points in the third quarter cruelled their chances.
"We flew her (Han) over expecting to play, and she didn't. Clearly, it's not a long-term thing," Lynx coach Ryan Petrik said.
"I thought our offence was running in the mud, especially in the first half.
"We haven't started well for a while ... two months ago, we were regularly up at halftime by 20-odd. It's come out of nowhere."
Victory helps the Lynx (15-5) equal the number of wins as the second-placed Bendigo Spirit (15-4), while the loss for Sydney (6-15) all but rules them out of finals contention.
For the Flames, Shaneice Swain scored 20 points while American Unique Thompson was also busy, registering 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Sydney started hot, going on a 9-2 early run, and their slick ball movement, coupled with Perth's inaccuracy from the three-point line, helped the Flames create a six-point lead at quarter-time.
Both teams traded baskets in the second quarter, but Perth began to heat up, cutting Sydney's advantage to 33-30 at halftime.
The Lynx's defence tightened up in the third quarter, and Gorman sank three triples as Perth took a 13-point lead into the final break.
Sydney couldn't get their offence to fire up and Perth continued to pile on the points to seal victory.
"If you shoot at 25 per cent, you're going to struggle to win many games. And sadly, that was us today," coach Renae Garlepp said.
"Result aside. It's great to honour her (Mangakahia) and keep this going."
