Top team to test Townsville Flames

The Townsville Flames will be hoping to keep pace with the NBL1 North finals pack when they host ladder leaders Southern District Spartans tonight (Friday night).

The Flames sit eighth in the standings after an up-and-down start to their season while the visiting Spartans are unbeaten through six games.

Townsville suffered a tough loss to Sunshine Coast in their last outing but they have shown this season that at their best they can compete with anyone in the league.

After a quiet game last round American import Samantha Bowman will look to get back on track and continue her stellar season, that has seen the power forward her average 24.5 points (fourth in league) and 14 rebounds (third).

The Heat boast an identical 3-4 record to the Flames and will be desperate to rediscover their winning form against a struggling Spartans men’s team.

While Spartans have won just two of their six games this season they boast a lineup laden with NBL level talent, including prolific scorers Tamuri Wigness and Kyle Adnam.

Townsville big guns Kuany Kuany and Ethan Betts battled foul trouble in their last start loss to Sunshine Coast and bounce back games from the pair will go a long way to leading the Heat to a much-needed victory.

The Flames kick off the action at Carmichael Ford Stadium at 6.30pm before the Heat game at 8.30pm, with tickets available on the door.