Boomers take the first Finals win

March 25, 2022 | WNBL news

It’s the Melbourne Boomers who take the first win of the finals coming from a slow start to post a strong 96-64 victory over Adelaide Lightning.

The Boomers showed why they finished as the minor premiers with a spectacular second half, shutting down the Lightning and earning themselves a 1-0 lead.

It was the tale of two half’s with Talbot and Smith dominating the first quarter doubling the Boomers score at 26-16.  Madgen kept the Boomers in the hunt with her shooting accuracy but she couldn’t hold off the Lightning who went into the second half 47-32.

The second half was all Boomers as they put the foot down and took the energy level up 1000 notches. All starting 5 Boomers ended in double figures with Lindsay Allen leading the scoring with 24 points.

Magbegor turned up the defensive heat shutting down the Lightning and clocked up some impressive stats (14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals).

The second half stats speak for themselves with the Boomers scoring 63-17 much to the enjoyment of the home crowd. Post-game Boomers Coach Molloy was full of praise for his team on the incredible turnaround.

“I was so pleased with our discipline, having the energy is one thing but you have to turn the energy into smart basketball.” he said.

The 20 turnovers will be a focus for the Lighting as they head home to reassess and refocus. Talbot who scored a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Smith (17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists) will be key to the Lightning making it 1-1 on their home soil.

The Boomers head to Adelaide for game 2 on Saturday at 4.30pm.  Game live on Kayo, ABC and Fox Sports.