It was a party at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), as the AIS closed their season out on 12 February with a 23-point win over Perth Lynx, 84–61.

The Institute came prepared to farewell graduating players Tess Madgen and Jillian Haughton and they could not have asked for a better farewell.

Madgen was one of three AIS players to score in double figures (23 points), Tayla Roberts had 16 points, and Gretel Tippett chipped in with 10. Jillian Haughton was top in assists, dishing out five for the game, four steals and scoring nine points.

Sam Norwood and Rebecca Mercer led the Lynx with 16 points apiece and a solid contribution from Melissa Marsh, seven points and four assists.

Buoyed on by the large cheer squad of fanatical men’s basketballers and fellow Institute athletes, the AIS played inspiring basketball and did a great job at sustaining their runs and kept the score tied up at the first break.

The second quarter was a replica of the previous one with Perth gaining a five point lead at the two minute mark only to be reeled in again with Madgen hitting back to back baskets to go to the major break 39–all.

The Institute made the good adjustments in the third quarter and shut Perth down defensively. They played to Perth’s physicality well and gained confidence at the other end to continue attacking offensively.

Perth could not come up with the answers to halt the AIS who had sensed a win was within their reach and were not backing down. The Institute’s sharp shooting was on fire as they shot at 64 per cent from the perimeter, taking them to the final break with a 13 point lead.

The AIS played a sensational final phase of basketball, moving the ball swiftly up court and scoring with confidence, exactly as head coach Phil Brown had asked, and giving the supporters a glimpse of what is to come in the 2010–11 season.

The final whistle brought cheers and tears as the AIS celebrated the win and farewelled their best friends.

Australian Institute of Sport vs. Perth Lynx final scores

Australian Institute of Sport: 84

Top scorers:

• T Madgen: 23
• T Roberts: 16
• G Tippett: 10

Perth Lynx: 61

Top scorers:

• S Norwood: 16
• R Mercer: 16
• D Campbell: 9