Forel Too Much for Flames

Fullerton, CA - The Flames continue to fight despite their 6 man roster. They traveled to Hope International for the Valentine's Day match up against the (18-8) Royals. Initially playing man to man defense, two three-pointers from Laura Tapia, who was being guarded by 6'2" Emma Forel, forced the Royals to either sub the big out or go zone. After coach Flanagan's decision to sub their center while Forel was on the bench, Flames aced the opportunity to cut down the lead. This forced HIU coach to put Forel back in the game and drop into a halfccourt zone. The adjustments allowed Royals to dominate in rebounds and to outpace the Flames 18-10 in the second quarter. The Flames were able to get it as close as an 8-point game but could not close it out.  

 

The Flames made good halftime adjustments by coming out in a full court press and HIU had to go deeper into its rotation in the second half which allowed the Flames to capitalize on Forel being on the bench. With the press, the Flames forced HIU to 25 turnovers. The overpowering margin, however, was HIU's 60 rebounds to BUC's 38. The Flames' Angela Steel got into foul trouble late in the third quarter, having only played 17 minutes total, and fouled out before the start of the fourth. BU played the entire fourth quarter with only 5 players. Three of those five players finished in double digits. Victoria Stewart and Vanni Morga both led with 18 points and Laura Tapia added another 17 points. 6'2" Forel finished with an outstanding 41 points and 19 rebounds.