Good vibes in Adelaide: Caps open 2025 strong, snap five-game skid
The UC Capitals flew down to South Australia looking to atone for what they believed was a game they should’ve won three weeks ago against the Lightning, and also open up 2025 on good terms, by snapping a five-game losing streak. They got the job done!
In her 50th game in the WNBL, Nicole Munger turned in perhaps her finest performance of her career, waxing hot from deep and providing all the hustle plays and intangibles Caps fans have grown familiar with for the past few seasons. Charli Collier continued her mastery of the Adelaide 36ers Arena, backing up her 27 point-22rebound double double in the first meeting, with 25 points and 16 rebounds this time around. And Jade Melbourne finally looked like herself again, getting to the rim at will, especially in the pivotal run in the fourth quarter that turned the game in the Caps favour.
Here’s how it all played out.
First Quarter
As has been the case most of the season, the Caps started slow with a few turnovers. On the other end of the court, Isabelle Bourne started on fire, hitting three early 3s including a high banker from the right wing to give the Lightning a 13-4 lead, leading to a Paul Goriss timeout. A couple empty possessions for the Caps ensued, but the Lightning failed to capitalise, and the visitors finally started to get into a bit off a groove. Nicole Munger hit a 3, and Indi Bowyer provided an early playmaking spark with good dishes to Charli Collier and Ella Tofaeono for easy inside baskets.
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The Caps had cut the lead back down to 5, 19-14, and had the opportunity to come close but failed to convert on three offensive rebounds. On the other end, Issy Bourne hit her fourth 3 of the quarter to put the Lightning back up 8, 22-14. Katie Deeble came back down the other end and drew a foul and hit both free throws to end the quarter scoring.
Adelaide Lightning 22, UC Capitals 16
Second Quarter
Having settled into the game, Katie Deeble opened up the scoring for the Caps in the second quarter with a 3 to pull the Caps within 3, 22-19. Haylee Andrews and Brooke Basham answered back quickly for the Lightning, but Charli Collier got going inside with a couple baskets in traffic. Two free throws from Puoch finally drew the Caps level at 27, but Borlase and Turner scored the next five points to restore order for Adelaide. The offense flowed freely for the next few minutes, with Indi Bowyer continuing to make an impact with her playmaking, and the Caps finally got the lead on a Puoch 3, 37-36, forcing an Adelaide timeout.
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Adelaide briefly got the lead back up to four again, 43-39, but Jade Melbourne drew a foul and got points 1000 and 1001 for her WNBL career, with 30 seconds left in the quarter. Nicole Munger, in her 50th career game in the league, ended the half strong for the Caps with her third three-pointer of the game to give the visitors a 44-43 margin heading to the locker room.
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UC Capitals 44 (Collier 14pts, 8rebs; Munger 11pts, 6rebs)
Adelaide Lightning 43 (Bourne 17pts, 5/6 3ptm; Turner 10pts, 10rebs)
Third Quarter
The Caps opened up a 5 point lead early in the 3rd with Collier, Jade, and Munger all converting. But Issy Borlase caught fire, orchestrating a personal 7-0 run to give the Lightning a 54-52 lead. Jade hit a three, but then Issy Bourne continued her spectacular game dominating from inside and out and all of a sudden, Adelaide has opened up a 66-57 lead. Nicole Munger wouldn’t let the Lightning out of sight though, hitting a corner 3, followed by an assist to Charli, and another corner 3, and just like that, the Caps are back within 1, 66-65 at the end of the quarter.
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Adelaide Lightning 66, UC Capitals 65
Fourth Quarter
The nip and tuck affair continued through the fourth quarter as Issy Borlase continued her forays into the paint. Jade wasn’t about to be outdone, getting to the paint herself drawing two free throws and a floater. After forcing another turnover, Bowyer hit a pullup transition three to force an Adelaide timeout, with the Caps leading 72-68. Issy Bourne converted a fastbreak layup, but Collier answered right back with an offensive rebound putback. Off and Adelaide miss, Jade converted a tough layup. A Borlase free throw did little to stop the Caps momentum, as Jade got right back to the rim with another layup.
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The Capitals defense was stingy, forcing turnover after turnover leading to baskets at the rim for Collier. A Munger steal and uncontested layup led to the biggest Caps lead of the game, 83-71 with 2:08 left. Off their timeout, Adelaide scored the next four points but Jade got to the cup again for another layup. After a Steph Talbot miss, Nicole Munger capped a splendid performance with her sixth three pointer, 88-75, icing the game for the visitors, and finally snapping the five game losing streak.
UC Capitals 88, Adelaide Lightning 77
Key performers
UC Capitals
Charli Collier 25pts (12/17 fgs), 16rebs, 1ast, 2stls
Nicole Munger 24pts (6/11 3ptm), 7rebs, 2asts, 1stl
Jade Melbourne 20pts, 5rebs, 8asts
Adelaide Lightning
Isabelle Bourne 29pts (6/9 3ptm), 2asts, 3stls, 1blk
Issy Borlase 25pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 1stl
Brianna Turner 12pts, 19rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 3blks
NEXT GAME: UC Capitals v Geelong United, 12.30pm Sunday 5 January at AIS Arena. Get your tickets here. Use code KIDS50 for 50% off kids tickets at all January home games.