Lions Extinguish Brevard Flame In Season Opener

By  //  May 21, 2012

Valiant Rally Falls Short

Quortaysha Millege of the Brevard Flame charges through the Fort Lauderdale defense during a Womens' Blue Chip Basketball League game at the Melbourne Central Catholic gym Sunday. (Image by Brian Curl)
Kristen Dixon of the Brevard Flame goes up a layup during a Womens' Blue Chip Basketball League game against the Fort Lauderdale Lions at the Melbourne Central Catholic gym Sunday. (Image by Brian Curl)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Fort Lauderdale Lions built a six-point lead in the second half and then held off  the Brevard Flame 78-73 in the season-opening game of the Womens’ Blue Chip Basketball League at Melbourne Central Catholic High School on Sunday.

The Lions and the Flame played a physical first half, racking up a total of 20 fouls for the Flame and 16 for the Lions going into the intermission with the Lions leading 41-35.

With 21 seconds left remaining, the Lions fouled Brevard’s Kristen Dixon and she converted two free throws to cut Fort Lauderdale’s lead to 76-71.

The Flame made a valiant effort to rally within three, but with only one second left, Claudeen Gooden of the Lions sank a basket making the final score 78-73.

Lynisha Nelson of the Brevard Flame fights her way through the Fort Lauderdale defense during a Womens' Blue Chip Basketball League game at the Melbourne Central Catholic gym Sunday. (Image by Brian Curl)

“I was proud of how well the team worked together for our opening game, but we missed shots early and turned the ball over too many times and that cost us the game,” said Flame coach Reuben Williams.

Point guard Lynisha Nelson topped Brevard scoring with 13 points and Amanda Deveaux added 12.  Nelson, Abena Bosia and Der-ryka Martin had six rebounds each for the Flame.

“Lynisha Nelson lead the team in points by scoring 13. She was on the mark with her shots today,” Williams said.

The Flame will travel to play the Miami Rain at 7 p.m. June 2 in Miami Gardens at Florida Memorial University.