Perth Lynx Preview – Home to UC Capitals
The Perth Lynx are back home on Thursday night to host Jade Melbourne and the UC Capitals on a mission to bounce back after two tough losses last weekend in the WNBL.
The Lynx are back home on Thursday night at Bendat Basketball Centre coming off those two losses last week to the Bendigo Spirit and the Sydney Flames attempting to return to the winner’s list.
Perth come into the contest still sitting in second position on the WNBL table with a 6-3 record as they take on a Capitals team currently in last place at 2-6.
The two teams have already met earlier this season in Canberra back on November 14 which turned out to be a thriller where the Lynx ended up prevailing 92-90 on the back of a mid-range game winning jumper from co-captain Anneli Maley just before the buzzer.
Also in that game, Laeticia Amihere stood out with 24 points and 10 rebounds while Miela Sowah produced 18 points, Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard 11 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Ally Wilson 11 points, five boards and three assists.
On the other side, Nyadiew Puoch finished with 20 points and five rebounds for the Capitals while Jade Melbourne had 20 points and eight assists, Chantel Horvat 13 points and four rebounds, and Charli Collier 10 points and 12 boards.
The two teams now do it all again this Thursday night at Bendat Basketball Centre and while the Lynx will still be without the recently married Alex Ciabattoni, co-captain Amy Atwell continues to grow on her return.
She played her first two games of the season last weekend following a knee injury to end up with four points and two rebounds against Bendigo, and nine points and two boards in extra minutes against Sydney.
Atwell did suffer an injury scare late in the game after coming into contact with Cayla George where she rolled her ankle, but she does appear on track to be fit to go for Thursday night against the Caps.
Atwell is just glad to be back playing with the Lynx because sitting out for those first seven games was anything but fun.
“I’m feeling good and it’s obviously great to be back out there with the girls,” Atwell said.
“I’m still kinda working my way in on some restrictions and stuff like that, but it’s good to be taking a step in the right direction.
“I’m not the best spectator and it’s pretty hard sitting on the bench and watching the girls, and wanting to be out there to do whatever I can to help them get over the line. It’s definitely better being on the other side of things.”
While Canberra come into Thursday’s game in bottom place, they pushed the Lynx to the brink in their previous meeting and they have a more talented team than their record suggests which Atwell is fully aware of.
“You can’t really underestimate a team like Canberra. They get up and about, and on any given night they can beat anyone in the league and their best is up there with everyone else,” she said.
“All the girls are definitely keen to put their best foot forward and rectify those last two games, but we definitely can’t underestimate Canberra.”
Atwell is also looking forward to the chance to play in front of the fans once again knowing the Lynx play a style that everyone can enjoy watching.
“Hopefully we get a good crowd there and if everyone has nothing on then we want as many people as possible to come support us at Bendat Basketball Centre,” Atwell added.
“We play a really exciting brand of basketball, we want to push the pace and get up and down, and score a lot of points so I think a lot of people love the environment and atmosphere at our games. I’m looking forward to another exciting one.”
CYGNETT WNBL SEASON 2024/25
Round 7 – Perth Lynx v UC Capitals
Venue – Bendat Basketball Centre
Tip-off – Thursday December 12, 7pm AWST
Tickets – Available by clicking here
How to watch – Live, free and on demand on 9Now