Heartbreak in Adelaide – Caps one point short against Lightning
The UC Capitals came into Adelaide looking to atone for a forgettable Perth trip and they battled hard in the South Australian heat. Unfortunately, the team came up just short, with Charli Collier missing out on a dream ending to cap off a dominant 27pt and 22reb performance.
Here’s how it went down.
First Quarter
The Caps started slow again, falling behind early 6-0, however unlike in the Perth game, they held it together better defensively in this match. Nyadiew Puoch finally got the offense going by getting to the basket for a couple inside points, and Charli Collier flexed her size advantage inside dominating both boards (9 rebs in the quarter, 4 offensive) and scoring 4 early points. The Caps ballhandling issues reared its ugly head again, turning the ball over 7 times in the quarter, but they did a much better job getting back in transition and holding Adelaide to only a 33% shooting quarter. Mon Bobongie provided the highlight of the quarter, hitting a halfcourt buzzer beater to pull the Caps within 2 to close the quarter.
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Lightning 17, Capitals 15.
Second Quarter
The quarter opened up with Issy Borlase and Brianna Turner getting back-to-back baskets to open up a 21-15 lead for Adelaide. The Caps continued to get the ball inside drawing fouls, but their FT woes continued, making only 1 of their first 8 attempts, which did not help especially when the team is only shooting in the low 30s. The Jade Melbourne-Charli Collier pick and roll finally got going, scoring on back to back possessions to get the Caps within 24-20. But Issy Borlase and Isabelle Bourne connected from long range, opening up a 9 point lead for the Lightning, forcing a Caps timeout. Off the timeout, turnover issues continued to plague the team, until Collier finally stopped the bleeding with a basket to pull the Caps within 12, 34-22. Collier continued to dominate the offensive glass pulling down a season high 9 offensive rebounds (15 overall) to keep the Caps in the game. Unfortunately, the Caps couldn’t capitalise from the foul line, converting only 5-17 attempts. Melbourne’s struggles continued, with the star point guard only scoring a single point in the half (0-11 fgs, 1-4 fts).
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Lightning 39, Capitals 28
Lightning
Issy Borlase (15pts, 5rebs)
Brianna Turner (11pts, 8rebs)
Capitals
Charli Collier (13pts, 15rebs)
Mon Bobongie (5pts, 4rebs)
Third Quarter
The Caps came out of the halftime break strong, with Puoch scoring 5 early points to cut the lead to 6, 41-35. But turnovers once again doomed the Caps, with Borlase capitalising on the other end to restore order back to the home team. A Japreece Dean jumper led to a Caps timeout, and suddenly the Lightning were up 48-35. Off the timeout, Collier grabbed her 10th offensive board and sticking the putback to cut the lead to 11. A couple Adelaide turnovers led to a Horvat basket, but the Caps couldn’t capitalise futher, turning the ball over themselves. Off a timeout, the Lightning went on a 6-0 run to open up a 15 point lead before Horvat hit a 3. Haylee Andrew hit a 3 and a freethrow for Adelaide, around an Indi Bowyer layup, but a Charli Collier 3 at the buzzer gave the Caps some glimmer of hope heading into the final quarter.
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Lightning 58, Capitals 47
Fourth Quarter
Turnovers continued to plague the Capitals, with 3 straight to start the quarter. Fortunately, their defense held, with Charli Collier getting her 20th rebound even as Jade’s nightmare game continued missing an open fastbreak layup. However, Puoch hit a three, then Jade finally got a basket to go down. Nicole Munger missed a 3 but came up with a steal and a layup, then Collier hit a tough bucket at the end of the shot clock and all of a sudden it was a 60-58 game.
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Off a timeout, Adelaide settled down and scored 6 straight points, leading to a Caps timeout of their own. Puoch got to the line hitting 2 freethrows, then Collier hit her second three of the game. After a few empty possessions, Jade hit a shot in the post to pull the Caps within 1, 66-65 with 2:06 left.
The Caps had a chance to take the lead after forcing a stop, but Horvat got called for an offensive foul setting a screen. Borlase came back on the other end and hit a tough basket in the lane to put the Lightning back up 3. Jade missed a stepback 3, but the Caps forced a stop leading to Collier scoring her season high 27th point on a roll to the basket. After Japreece Dean missed a 3, Jade Melbourne secured the board and the Caps came down the floor with a chance to win. Jade looked to make a move, but the defense forced her to give the ball up top to Collier, who had a decent look from the top of the key at the buzzer which just didn’t drop.
FINAL Lightning 68, Capitals 67
Key performers
Lightning
Issy Borlase 22pts, 8rebs, 3asts
Brianna Turner 15pts, 9rebs, 3stls, 3blks
Capitals
Charli Collier 27pts, 22rebs
Nyadiew Puoch 15pts, 3rebs, 1ast, 2stls, 1blk
Next game: UC Capitals v Townsville Fire, 8pm AEDT Saturday 21 Dec at Townsville Entertainment Centre