Perth Lynx star Lauren Scherf has ignored four missed lay-ups in a matter of minutes to steel herself when it mattered and lift her team to an 83-79 overtime win over Southside in Ballarat.

The Lynx centre was the game’s dominant player in the first half before producing a horror patch when the win was up for grabs. But despite knowing she was missing basic shots, Scherf continued to demand the ball and she put Perth in front with the final field goal of the match.

The Lynx then sealed victory after the Flyers forced the game to the free throw line.

Scherf finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds as coach Ryan Petrik praised her determination.

“She knows where she wants to go with her career and she’s really starting to blossom,” Petrik said.

“She had a bad three or four minutes, but we all did. We were all missing bunny lay-ups in that second half so to keep going back to it and finally make one was a relief.

“The way they were guarding that pick and roll action, she had to roll and she was killing them. But she had to keep rolling and eventually she got rewarded with that crucial basket.”

Import Marina Mabrey was again brilliant with 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Sami Whitcomb was also influential with 17 points and six rebounds while captain Darcee Garbin scored 10 points, including the clutch three-pointer which sent the game to overtime.

Having lost to Adelaide by two points in the opening game, Petrik said everyone knew they could ill afford to drop another close contest.

“We had to get out of there with a win and sometimes you just have to win ugly,” he said.

“The team is pretty resilient and our starting five are all either Australian Opals or WNBA stars. The overtime was never going to worry them. They just kept saying to us to let them have the ball and play. They were confident.”

Multiple Southside players spent the week recovering from COVID-19 and captain Jenna O’Hea sat out the match. Star shooter Bec Cole faded in the second half after being hit hard by the virus.

Sara Blicavs top scored for the Flyer with 21 points and Kristy Wallace (16) was a key performer.

The Lynx must now travel to Canberra to face the Capitals on Friday before a third game in quick succession, with a clash against Melbourne on Monday night.