Lynx find the Key to overcome Venom

Han Xu's first game against her former side has ended in heartache after the Perth Lynx toppled the towering Chinese superstar's Geelong Venom 95-76.

All eyes were on how Han would fare at Microkeeper Arena on Friday after making one of the biggest off-season WNBL moves, joining the Victorian club from last season's grand finalists.

She was once again prolific for the Venom (15 points, five rebounds), but it was one of the New York Liberty stars' replacements, Teonni Key, who stole some of her limelight.

The American dominated the paint, registering 21 points and eight rebounds, while point guard Georgia Amoore was typically inspirational with 21 points and four steals.

Forward Anneli Maley also continued her 100 per cent double-double streak to start the season, recording 18 points and 11 boards.

"Han's elite. Obviously she's a ripper human, hell of a basketball player, but geez, TK (Key) is not bad," Lynx coach Ryan Petrik said.

"I thought we played fairly well, so we'll take it."

Perth (4-1) recorded their highest score of the season, which came after they endured a cross-country short turnaround, having played the winless Bendigo Spirit in Western Australia on Tuesday.

Geelong (2-4) were desperate to bounce back from an 80-67 loss to defending champions Townsville Fire last round, and Opal Maddy Rocci (18 points, seven rebounds) was busy.

But a sub-par third quarter, when their opponents outscored them 29-17, along with floundering three-point shooting, cruelled their chances.

"It's just unfortunate that we've had Maddy and (Bec) Cole, two of our most experienced players out, and now we're bringing them back in," Geelong coach Cheryl Chambers said.

"We'll get some momentum in the next little while.

"The good thing about our team is that we don't give up. Hopefully we'll learn."

The Venom were held to six points in the opening five minutes, but went on an 11-3 late run to trail 21-19 at the first break.

The teams traded baskets to start the second period, but Perth produced a 9-2 spurt to beef up their advantage to 45-39 at halftime.

Geelong were dearly missing Cole (leg) in the third term, as their offence looked scrappy.

The Lynx capitalised to balloon the gap to 18 points by the final break, before cruising to victory.