Round 6 Wrap
Team was the theme for the UC Capitals as they overcame Perth Lynx in front of their biggest home crowd of the #WNBL20 season.
More than 1,600 people were on hand on Sunday as the Caps, who trailed at the major break, came from 2 points down at 3QT to defeat Perth, 84-66.
Veteran Marianna Tolo was full of praise for her team and its stellar 32-point final term.
“When you look at the scoreboard, we held them to 66 points and they’re averaging 78 and I think that was really telling of us to dig deep and get stops, especially down the stretch, and that really helps us offensively,’’ she says.
“We’re big on defence first and that really showed with the score line because in other areas Perth were great at offensive boards, great at forcing turnovers and getting lay ups, so getting stops was important for us.”
Tolo was one of 7 Canberra players to hit the score sheet.
“We had some players hit some big shots with Olivia (Epoupa), Kia (Nurse) and Kelsey (Griffin) and even Gemma Potter hit huge shots at the start. It really helps when you’ve got players who can score across the board because it makes you so hard to stop when there’s a million things to think about.”
Melbourne Boomers 71 d Adelaide Lighting 57
Facing off for the first time since last season’s semi-final series, it was the Boomers who stormed home at Titanium Security Arena to post win No.5 of #WNBL20.
Game MVP Lindsay Allen (20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) was again the barometer for the Boomers who produced a telling 26-13 last quarter. Ezi Magbegor (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Cayla George (13 points, 7 rebounds) fresh from Opals duty were in good touch, plus Penina Davidson banked 11 points and 9 rebounds against her old side.
Brianna Turner notched a 14 rebound/10 point double-double before fouling out midway through the final term, Captain Nicole Seekamp scored 15 points and Chelsea Brook (10 points, 5 rebounds) started and delivered. The Lightning’s fantastic pride game strip the real winner.
Perth Lynx 91 d Sydney Uni Flames 82
With the Lightning losing the night before, Perth’s away clash with the Flames held even more significance with the Lynx looking to keep in touch with the top 4.
Alison Schwagmeyer-Belger (25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists) was simply sensational as was Katie-Rae Ebzery (20 points) as the Lynx registered their third win. Ariel Atkins added 12 points, while Maddie Allen (12 points, 6 rebounds) continues to show she’s a vital cog for Perth.
Sydney coach Katrina Hibbert couldn’t fault the shared scoring load as the Flames boasted 5 players in double figures.
Ally Wilson played the full 40 minutes for 16 points and assists, Colleen Planeta (16 points, 9 rebounds) fell a board short of a double-double, Lauren Scherf had 14 points with Jess Kuster (16 points and 9 boards) and Alice Kunek (10) also featuring.
Southside Flyers 91 d Townsville Fire 59
The Flyers signalled their intentions early up north with a sizzling 30-point first quarter.
Not only did Southside go at 66 per cent in the opening term but defensively restricted the Fire to just 30 per cent for the game.
The visitors team win was reflected in all 5 starters scoring in double digits led by skipper Jenna O’Hea’s 21 points and 7 assists, Bec Cole (20 points), Mercedes Russell (17 points, 9 rebounds), Leilani Mitchell (13 points, 8 assists) and Sara Blicavs (13 rebounds, 12 points). Anneli Maley, off the bench, grabbed 7 boards.
Abby Bishop’s 20 points and 8 rebounds was the shining light for Townsville.
Melbourne Boomers 75 d Bendigo Spirit 59
The Boomers took the broom to Bendigo and left with a 3-0 sweep of the Spirit.
Bendigo led by 4 at the half but it was all Melbourne after that as they outscored the opposition, 44-25, with Allen (17 points), Maddie Garrick (12 points, 6 assists), George (10 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and Magbegor (10 points, 7 rebounds) ensuring a defining 2-0 weekend.
Bendigo will quickly want to put an afternoon, where they shot at just 35 per cent and turned the ball over 28 times, behind them as they now languish at 2-6.
Centre Becca Tobin finished with 15 rebounds (10 in the first half), Abi Wehrung top scored with 13 points and veteran Kelly Wilson dished out 9 assists.
UC Capitals 84 d Perth Lynx 66
This result pushed the Caps’ season ledger to 6-2, critical given the Boomers successful weekend, and also marked their 15th consecutive victory at home.
The experience of Kelsey Griffin (19 points, 15 rebounds), Kia Nurse (18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) and Marianna Tolo (12 points, 10 rebounds) was pivotal; Maddi Rocci stepped up with 13 points while young gun Gemma Potter checked in early and made an immediate impact with 2 first-quarter triples.
For Perth, Lauren Mansfield (23 points) was the standout, Schwagmeyer-Beger (19 points, 7 rebounds) started like a house on fire with 16 first-half points but was restricted to just a further 3 after half time and Nadeen Payne had a 10 point-10 rebound double-double.