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FOUR successive defeats at the hands of preseason WNBL title favourite Southside meant nothing tonight as defending champion Melbourne drew outstanding performances from Opals pair Cayla George and Kristy Wallace to force their semi final series to a decider with a 96-77 rout.

The Boomers' two WNBL First Team All Stars started strongly, George dominant early in a 9-0 opening stand that sent the Flyers into a night-long game of catch up. And they never did.

Melbourne's Game 1 superstar Tiff Mitchell also pitched in as the Boomers built the lead to 23-11, Southside unable to find a consistent winner.

Mitchell's layup late in the second quarter bumped the lead to 41-17, the WNBL champions' home fans loud in their approval.

Big baskets from Bec Cole rejuvenated the Flyers and key plays from Monique Conti and Sara Blicavs brought them rallying to 36-49 just before halftime.

Wallace then nailed a monster three to have the Boomers heading into the break 16 ahead and on a high, while Maddi Rocci was busy trying to have the officials call an off-ball foul on Leilani Mitchell.

The difference in mindsets was perhaps best illustrated by that, or the fact Carley Ernst also spent more time jawing than balling.

Steadily after the break, Southside began eating into the deficit, Cole and Blicavs again prominent and Abby Bishop sticking a 3-pointer for a 55-64 scoreline.

Melbourne responded with a 10-0 run, Penina Davidson sizzling as never before, taking it at the favourites in arguably her best perfomance at this level. Wallace again closed out the quarter strongly for Melbourne to be turning for the last period ahead 80-59, Southside needing a miracle.

Olivia Nelson-Ogoda also stayed active on the boards, despite - as usual - collecting two of her four fouls for breathing.

George's 3-pointer in the last blew the margin out to 86-61 and there was no way home for the Flyers, playing without import Kayla Thornton.

The Game 3 decider on Wednesday presents a potential clash with the NBL's Game 5 unless Sydney wins tomorrow. Of course, the WNBL will be all over it and seeking an alternative ... cough, cough.

WNBL SEMI FINAL SERIES (Best-of-3)
SOUTHSIDE FLYERS (2) v DEAKIN MELBOURNE BOOMERS (3)
Game 1: FLYERS 84 (Blicavs 18, Cole 17, Thornton 14, Rocci 13, Bishop 10; Thornton 7 rebs; Rocci 7 assts) d BOOMERS 76 (T.Mitchell 36, Nelson-Ododa 11, Murray 10; George 14 rebs; Wallace 5 assts) at State Basketball Centre. Crowd: 1,623
Game 2: BOOMERS 96 (George 28, Wallace 27, T.Mitchell 18, Davidson 13; Nelson-Ododa 8 rebs; Wallace 6 assts) d FLYERS 77 (Blicavs 15, Cole 13, Conti, Rocci 11; Rocci 9 rebs; Rocci 8 assts) at Melbourne Sports Centres. Crowd: 2,477

Series tied 1-1