THE WRAP – ROUND 14  

February 20, 2023 | WNBL news

Just when you thought this season couldn’t get any more exciting, Round 14 delivers a thrilling seven games of basketball. Here are some of the biggest moments from the round.  

First double OT of the season  

The top of the ladder clash between the Fire and the Boomers was tipped to be an absolute thriller, and it lived up to expectations, going into the first double overtime of the season! The battle between Kristy Wallace and Steph Reid was tough. Karlie Samuelson shot the lights out in her best performance in the WNBL to date – finishing on a massive 31 points at 78 per cent.  

Mia Murray made two important triples to help the Boomers to take the game to overtime. But it was Shyla Heal who stepped up in overtime to hit the three to send the game to double overtime.  

The Fire and Boomers went basket for basket, but the Fire got the better of the Boomers on the offensive end and ran away with their eighth win in a row.  

Bibby hits five triples 

Adelaide got off to a flying start against Perth, with Steph Talbot and Marena Whittle firing early. Things turned around for the Lynx in the second quarter as Chloe Bibby hit five massive triples to give the Lynx a three-point lead at the half time break.  

Bibby continued her shooting prowess into the third and was supported by Sami Whitcomb on the offensive end. The Lightning were unable to match the Lynx who ran away in the fourth to record a crucial win in the run home to the Finals.   

Melbourne gets a triple-double 

Earlier this season we had a drought-breaking triple-double recorded by Cayla George – the first in a decade. On Saturday night, Jade Melbourne recorded the second triple-double of the season in an incredible performance! The young gun hit 19 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists in an outstanding display, despite the UC Capitals being unable to get their third win of the season.  

Marena Whittle and Jacinta Monroewere the standouts in Adelaide’s win – proving themselves on both ends of court with a combined score of 41 points and 16 defensive rebounds. This incredible team effort sent the Lightning into a comfortable lead in the third term after trailing in the second.  

Fire go BOOM 

Townsville shot the lights out against Bendigo, shooting at 60 per cent accuracy to get their ninth victory in a row. Tianna Hawkins delivered a clinical performance, finishing on 32 points. While Lauren Nicholson was also strong for the Fire, finishing with 19 points.  

Flyers, Boomers and Fire lock in Finals 

The Flyers recorded two important wins over Bendigo and Perth. While Melbourne bounced back from a loss against Townsville with a big win over Sydney to cement their top four positions with two rounds of the regular season remaining.  

The remaining top four position is still up for grabs however, with Bendigo (11W/8L) and Perth (10W/8L) playing each other this week in what in what will likely be an epic battle to secure the last spot in the Finals!  

Player of the Round  

Tianna Hawkins (TSV) – 24.5ppg, 8rpg vs MEL/BEN 

 

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Team of the Week 

Jade Melbourne (UCC) – 19pts, 12rebs, 14ast vs ADL 

Chloe Bibby (PER) – 22ppg, 3.5rpg vs ADL/STH 

Tianna Hawkins (TSV) – 24.5ppg, 8rpg vs MEL/BEN 

Cayla George (MEL) – 18.5ppg, 13.0rpg vs TSV/SYD 

Kayla Thornton (STH) – 17.0ppg, 6.5rpg vs BEND/PER 

IMPORTANT STUFF 

RESULTS 

HIGHLIGHTS 

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FIXTURE