Game Recap: UC Capitals drop physical contest to the defending champions in Melbourne
The UC Capitals suffered a 98-77 defeat to the defending champions Southside Flyers in a tough physical contest down in Melbourne.
The Caps started off the game strong, turning the Flyers over early and getting out in transition.
The Flyers, however, settled down and showed why they’re still a dangerous team in the competition despite losing some key players from last year’s squad, breaking down the Caps defense and finding open shooters for threes and getting to the bucket off good ball movement.
The Caps tried to up the physicality in the contest, but the Flyers responded to the challenge and capitalised off fouls to stretch the lead and put the game away in the second half.
Here’s how it played out.
First quarter
The UC Capitals started off strong, forcing steals and getting out in transition to race to an early 10-6 lead.
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However, the Flyers quickly countered from long-range hitting three straight threes to open up a 15-10 advantage.
The Caps kept it close by being aggressive and getting rewarded with trips to the foul line, but the Flyers kept launching it from deep as the Caps shifted to a 2-3 zone.
Chantel Horvat, however, ended her strong first quarter with an offensive rebound and a three-point play to close the gap to two, 24-22.
Horvat led the Caps with 9 points in the quarter.
Second quarter
The Flyers started off the second quarter strong, with Naz Hillmon drawing a foul on a three-point attempt and hitting all three free throws, followed by another Alice Kunek three to put the defending champs up 30-24.
Off the timeout, the Caps drew up a great set play to get Puoch a strong basket in the paint, however, the Flyers continued their torrid shooting with Kunek, Rocci, Ernst, and Cole all hitting 3s to open up a 45-34 lead for the Flyers.
Puoch and Melbourne answered back with two free throws and a three-point play to cut the deficit back down to 8, 47-39 at the half.
Southside Flyers 47, UC Capitals 39
Kunek 13-1-3
Hillmon 9-6 3/3 from 3
Horvat 11-4-2
Jade 9-3-4
Third quarter
The third quarter turned into a physical affair with Collier drawing an unsportsmanlike foul off Carley Ernst. Her two free throws pulled the Caps within 5, 48-43.
The Caps strung a few defensive stops together but couldn’t capitalise offensively, and the Flyers finally broke through to open a 52-43 lead.
A three by Indi Bowyer brought the Caps to within seven, but the Flyers capitalised off some careless fouls by the Caps and kept getting to the line to open up a double-digit lead 63-50.
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Jade did her best to counter drawing fouls herself, however, the Flyers ended the quarter up 15.
Southside Flyers 73, UC Capitals 58
Fourth quarter
Charli Collier started off the quarter strong with an inside basket, but Maddi Rocci used her speed and craftiness to get to the rim an open up an 18-point lead, 81-63.
A Bowyer three and a Bobongie spin move into a layup brought the Caps back within 15, but Bec Cole hit an off-balance three to beat the shot clock and put the game well out of reach 84-66.
Manuela Puoch would enter the game in the last few minutes of the game, marking the first time she would face off against her sister Nyadiew.
Final Score Southside Flyers 98, UC Capitals 77
Next game: UC Capitals vs Townsville Fire, 6.30pm Thursday 21 November at the AIS Arena. Get your tickets here.