'Family Feud': Alicia Froling wins Keely match-up

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Bragging rights: Alicia Froling.

Alicia won the match-up against sister Keely Froling as the Townsville Fire survived, escaped, with a 79-74 home win against the Sydney Flames in Round 10 of WNBL26 on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 in Townsville.

It was the return rubber after the Fire routed the Flames in Sydney just 72 hours ago as the WNBL takes four days off for Christmas.

Playing just over 27 minutes, the Fire captain produced a dominant interior performance with 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting, nine rebounds (six offensive), and a game-high 24 efficiency.

Keely Froling’s night was more workmanlike but still impactful. Logging a team-high 34 minutes for Sydney, she finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and six made free throws, anchoring the Flames’ interior defence while battling constant physical pressure.

The contrast told the story: Alicia controlled efficiency and touch around the rim, while Keely was forced into a lower-usage, defensive role as Sydney leaned heavily on Unique Thompson and Shaneice Swain for offense. Townsville’s edge on the offensive glass – driven largely by Alicia – proved decisive in a five-point game that featured six lead changes.

In a night framed by family rivalry, Alicia Froling emerged as the closer, delivering a captain’s performance that underlined her importance to Townsville’s title push, while Keely’s effort reflected Sydney’s fight but but it wasn't enough.

Townsville moved back into second at 11-2 while the Flames are seventh at 3-11 only ahead of the Venom on points differential.

Key Details

• Result: Townsville Fire 79 def. Sydney Flames 74
• When: Monday, 23rd December 2025, 6:00 PM
• Where: Townsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
• Attendance: 3,081
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Alicia Froling (Townsville Fire) starred with 25 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes.
• Unique Thompson (Sydney Flames) scored 24 points, nine rebounds, and one assist in 28 minutes.

What Happened

The Fire established early momentum with a strong opening period, but the Flames quickly responded to take control of the contest. Sydney dominated the first quarter 21-10, building an 11-point advantage behind aggressive interior play that generated 12 points in the paint. The Flames maintained their lead through the second period, outscoring Townsville 16-24 to hold a 37-34 halftime advantage.

Townsville's resurgence began in the third quarter as they flipped the script with a 22-17 period to level the contest at 56-54 heading into the final frame. The Fire's balanced offensive attack proved crucial during this momentum shift, with multiple contributors stepping up to close the gap.

The decisive fourth quarter belonged to the home side, as Townsville outscored Sydney 23-20 to secure the 79-74 victory. Alicia Froling was instrumental throughout, shooting an efficient 11-from-18 from two-point range while dominating the interior with six offensive rebounds. Her 61 percent field goal shooting provided the consistent scoring punch Townsville needed.

For Sydney, Unique Thompson delivered an outstanding performance with 24 points on impressive 64 percent shooting from the field, including nine-from-14 from two-point range. Shaneice Swain provided valuable support with 23 points, connecting on four-from-six from downtown and shooting a perfect 100 percent from the charity stripe. Despite their efforts, the Flames' poor three-point shooting at 25 percent ultimately cost them.

The Fire's superior rebounding proved decisive, claiming 38 boards to Sydney's 41 while generating 12 second-chance points. Townsville's ability to convert from the foul line at 70 percent compared to Sydney's 77 percent kept the contest close, but their overall field goal efficiency at 54 percent gave them the edge needed for victory.