Rd 1 – Lightning vs Capitals Match Report

Round two saw the UC Capitals host the Adelaide Lightning at Canberra’s National Convention Centre for their season opener. As the game commenced, the energy was high, and the fans were ready for a jam-packed game full of big stat lines. 

FIRST HALF 

Similar to Lightnings first game, their start was something else. With great ‘pick and roll’ action, the Lightning pushed their lead right from the centre tap. Isobel Borlase led this push with a cracking 5-points in the opening two minutes. Big defensive efforts saw the Lightning finish the quarter with 10 defensive stops along with 5 offensive rebounds and an 11-point lead. 

While the Lightning had an explosive start, the UC Capitals did not give in. Finishing the first quarter with just 20 points, they needed to fire early in the second. Potter did just that, dropping 9-points to get the Capitals back into the game. They focused on hard attacks to the basket and Jade Melbourne brought her teammates into the game with her craftiness. The Capitals were able to get Lightning into foul trouble early in the second and narrowed the score line. 

Despite this, the Lightning did an excellent job to re-expand the lead. Continuing their hard work on the defensive end, they gathered another 8 stops converting into two and-1’s for Jocelyn Willoughby. Borlase’s contribution was a massive 20-points for the half and the Lightning went into the break with a lead of 15 points. 

SECOND HALF 

To start the second half, the Capitals were on fire. Lighting the court up with back-to-back threes and an eight point to nothing run. Clawing their way back into the game, Capital’s, Alex Sharp had an important influence on the boards while also being aggressive in offense, finishing with 21-points and 19-rebounds. Following suit, Alex Fowler had a big impact on the scoreboard, with 19-points and levelling the score and at one point in the second half. 

In her 50th game and fourth season at the Capitals, Jade Melbourne worked hard to get all her teammates on the stat sheet by creating a variety of scoring opportunities. With 13-points and 11-assists, Melbourne had a major influence on the final score and was such a leader on the court. 

With a slow start to the third quarter, the Lightning fought hard and left with a 3-point win under their belt. Although the Capitals had a big run in the second half, the Lightning had some high-class plays and huge efforts from players such as Brianna Turner and Isabelle Bourne. Turning the intensity up, Isabelle Bourne put on a show while in offence, finishing the game with 20-points and 8-assists. Complimenting this, Brianna Turner’s efforts on the boards, allowed the Lightning to hold on till the very end. Turner finished with 12-points and 15-rebounds. 

Overall, the clash between the Adelaide Lightning and the UC Capitals turned into a nail-biter. With some huge stats and amazing basketball being played, the rest of the WNBL season is going to be exciting. 

For our Adelaide Lightning family, round three is Saturday, 11th of November at 9:00pm when we take on the Perth Lynx in Perth. Being another away game, be sure to tune into the 9NOW live stream while we chase back-to-back wins.