#WNBL20 Round 15 Wrap
Southside Flyers secured the Chemist Warehouse WNBL’s #1 seed plus semi-final home-advantage all while scoring a crucial Round 15 win.
Coming off a loss to an undermanned yet gutsy UC Capitals last round, the Flyers were back to their best at home on Saturday night in another Top 4 tussle, this time defeating the Adelaide Lightning.
The sides will meet again in the semi-final series with Southside holding home-court advantage for Game 1 and Game 3, if required.
With one game, and round to play, the Flyers have a 16-4 record in their inaugural campaign.
UC Capitals 89 d Perth Lynx 75
Buoyed by a confidence-boosting Round 14, the Caps led from start to finish, including by a game-high 20 points, in this rescheduled game at the National Convention Centre.
Tired legs were no issue for Canberra and coach Paul Gorris who would have been pleased with the defining efforts of Marianna Tolo (22 points, 9 rebounds) and Kia Nurse (20 points, 5 assists). Maddy Rocci (17 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds) backed up from a career-best game against the Flyers, Olivia Epoupa (12 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) was in everything while reigning league MVP Kelsey Griffin (9 rebounds, 8 points) came off the bench and made a successful return from a hamstring tweak.
Perth’s night suffered an extra blow with an injury late to Alison Schwagmeyer-Belger.
The Lynx had four players in double figures led by Marena Whittle’s 18 points. Co-captain Katie-Rae Ebzery scored 16 points as Maddison Allen hauled in 10 boards.
Perth Lynx 89 d Bendigo Spirit 66
The Lynx spoiled the party for new league games record holder Kelly Wilson and Gabe Richards in her 250th club game, and last at home, with a resounding win.
After falling to the Caps two nights earlier, Perth bounced back to notch their third win from their past four games and were lethal from long range sinking 15 triples at near-on 60%.
Ebzery (28 points, 6 rebounds) continued her stellar individual campaign with Whittle (18 points, 6 rebounds) extending her recent run of form, Ariel Atkins (16 points, 10 rebounds) banked a double-double while Nadeen Payne (13 points, 9 rebounds) fell one board shy.
Shyla Heal (17 points, 8 rebounds), Richards (16 points, 7 rebounds), Abbey Wehrung (14 points) and Tessa Lavey (12 points, 5 assists) filled up the Spirit’s stat sheet.
Melbourne Boomers 79 d Townsville Fire 68
Ezi Magbegor’s golden form was again a catalyst for the Melbourne Boomers who have back-to-back victories to their name in second place on the ladder.
The Opals young gun led scoring for the visitors with a game-high 21 points plus 5 boards, her national team mate and Boomers co-captain Cayla George (19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) was also a presence with Sophie Cunningham (15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) also impacting the contest.
Melbourne showed great composure in holding off the Fire in another tight tussle in the run home to finals.
For Townsville, Canadian import Bridget Carleton (16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and Darcee Garbin (13 points, 7 rebounds) put up big numbers for the Fire with skipper Micaela Cocks (12 points) and Tess Madgen (10 points, 5 rebounds) also reaching double digits.
Southside Flyers 81 d Adelaide Lightning 69
Game MVP Bec Cole paced the winners with 28 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds sinking 20 points in a bright opening half at Dandenong Stadium.
Leilani Mitchell (21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) led her team, Mercedes Russell was forced to sit (but still conjured 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) plus Sara Blicavs (13 points, 9 rebounds) came within reach of a double-double.
The Lightning suffered a blow in the warm-up losing guard Lauren Nicholson to a thumb complaint.
As has become common practice, Brianna Turner (20 points, 8 rebounds) top scored for Adelaide, Steph Talbot (16 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) flirted with a triple double and Nicole Seekamp teamed 16 points with 5 assists.
UC Capitals 82 d Sydney Uni Flames 66
It was Sydney who gained the early ascendancy at the National Convention Centre and led at the first break before the home side hit their straps, particularly in the second half, on their way to scoring a fifth straight win.
For the Capitals, it was another game, another influential display by Nurse (25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists,) meantime Griffin (20 points, 7 rebounds) showed she’s back to her best, in-form guard Rocci scored 11 of her 15 points in the second term as Tolo put up 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
Back on court and enjoying some continuity, Britt Smart was Sydney’s standout with 21 points, with Jess Kuster (17 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) played a solid all-round game.