GRILL’D POST-GAME REPORT ROUND 7
In their last home game for the year, the Deakin Melbourne Boomers made it a thriller with an overtime win against the Adelaide Lightning, 106-100 at the State Basketball Centre.
The game started off quickly with a lay-up from Kristy Wallace straight off the tip which sparked an early 7-0 run from the Boomers. Mia Murray lit up from beyond the arc, in what was the start of a massive night for the veteran. The Lightning didn’t make it easy for the Boomers to score from that point onwards, with Steph Talbot showing us why she’s a force in the league with 12 points to top off a strong first quarter. The Lightning’s outside shooting hurt the Boomers early which set them up for the lead at the first break, 33-20.
It was physical to start the second, which reflected on the scoreboard. The Boomers gave away many offensive fouls and the Lightning made them pay on the other end. Murray and George combined together to make some tough buckets, with Murray cutting the Lightning’s lead at the half, 41-49.
Murray picked up where she left off to start the third by hitting a triple. The Lightning still made it hard for the Boomers to score but, it was Mia Murray, Cayla George, and Kristy Wallace who stepped and combined to make huge plays. Everything started to gel together for the Boomers towards the end of the third and trailed 71-72 at what they thought was the last break.
The Boomers continued the momentum into the last quarter and took the lead for the first time since the 1st quarter. Murray was a force to be reckoned with as she turned back the clock. Olivia Nelson-Ododa started to make her mark on the scoreboard in the fourth, and George was edging closer to a triple-double. The crowd at the State Basketball Centre was electric as the Boomers took the Lightning to overtime, 91-91!
Nelson-Ododa was instrumental in overtime, working hard for tough buckets in the paint which proved to be the difference. The Lightning made some costly turnovers and missed clutch free throws which the Boomers were able to turn into buckets on the other end. The crowd was like no other as the Boomers settled the overtime win, 106-100.
It was hard to split Player of the Game honours between Murray and George. Murray stepped up in Tiffany Mitchell’s absence to be uncontainable beyond the arc and in the post to finish with 34 points. There’s nothing George can’t do, ending the game with a triple-double – 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Nelson-Ododa had a brilliant night with 21 points and 7 rebounds, while Kristy Wallace recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists.
The Deakin Melbourne Boomers hit the road to face off against the JCU Townsville Fire at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Saturday 31st December at 8:30pm AEDT. You can watch them on 9NOW.