Townsville Fire douse Flames in WNBL

Townsville have fired themselves into the WNBL play-off picture with a statement 84-63 win over the Sydney Uni Flames.

Powered by a 23-point outing from Lauren Nicholson, the Fire led by as many as 24 at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Saturday and gave WNBL veteran Mia Murray a win in her 200th game for the club.

The Fire are now on the cusp of the top four with six wins and four losses, trailing Adelaide, Melbourne, the UC Capitals and Perth Lynx.

Nicholson was +20 in her 30 minutes of action, only eclipsed by teammate Stephanie Reid (+26) who finished a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc on her way to 17 points.

Out-rebounding, out-assisting, and out-hustling the Flames with their defence, Townsville were just too hot to handle as the visitors slipped to their fourth straight loss.

But it was a night to remember for captain Murray, who, while only playing seven minutes, said it was a delight to get the victory in front of her family.

"To have played 200 games for this club, it makes me extremely proud," she told Fox Sports.

"I think I've ticked over 300 late last year, the club means a lot to me, so very special to win.

"We'll just back up against Bendigo here on our home court on Thursday and just - the old cliche - go one game at a time.

"They're going to be another gutsy group to go against and we've got to bring our A game against them."