Moments of magic but UC Caps fall to Flyers
The UC Capitals played their fourth of a string of away games, up against the Southside Flyers in Round 5 of the Cygnett WNBL. With the same starting 5 that almost took down the top placed Boomers, the Caps were ready for their second match up of the season against the Flyers.
With the Flyers full of confidence after their recent, form Cheryl Chambers selected Maddi Rocci, Bec Cole, Nyadiew Puoch, Mercedes Russell & Carly Ernst to start, with Lauren Jackson omitted due to illness.
Quarter 1
The UC Capitals started off very strongly, with Japanese import Monica Okoye sinking two threes to get the Caps up by two. Southside’s Carly Ersnt, in her first start for Southside this season, hit back with a three of her own. It didn’t take long for Southside to take the lead, but the Caps kept at it, with a highlight being a Jade Melbourne assist allowing Sharp to get a two point layup. A brilliant rebound by Munger and a combined strong defensive effort from the Caps, stopped flyers a couple times. The Flyers too good though, able to keep the Caps to just 10 points.
Caps 10, Flyers 24
Quarter 2
It was a flick of the switch to start Q2, with the Caps fighting back with aggression and pace, to get 11 unanswered points. Jade Kirisome got herself an early assist in the second quarter, with a bounce pass to Okoye who shot a two. The Caps started getting into the paint more and it paid off with Munger getting her first points for the night. The guests did well the narrow the margin and go into half time seven points behind.
Caps 31, Flyers 38
Quarter 3
Fowler tipped off the third quarter with a two pointer as the Caps were relentless in their pursuit of the Flyers. The speed and intensity continued from the UC Capitals, who were finding more points under the basket rather than from the arc. Munger was having a great night in defence, with a block against Russell followed by a two pointer. A no look pass from Jade to Munger was a highlight who really came into her shooting form. The experience and height of the Flyers were hard to keep on top of though, with Mercedes Russell near unstoppable.
Caps 48, Flyers 59
Quarter 4
The hosts were first to score in the final quarter, before a determined Alex Sharp scored to record her fourth double double of the season. The Flyers had the answer for every Capitals challenge, as they increased the margin to 19 points. Fowler was able to reduce it to a 16 point ball game before both sides then gave opportunity to their more junior player. Claudea Waihape-Andrews and Abby Solway got their first minutes away from home, with Waihape-Andrews recording her first points through a two point driving layup. Despite another huge fight with some moments of real excitement, again it just wasn’t to be, the Caps ending the night with 64 points to the Flyers’ 81.
Munger 15 points, 8 rebounds
Fowler 13 points, 5 rebounds
Sharp 11 points, 10 rebounds
Okoye 12 points, 5 rebounds
Melbourne 6 points, 7 assists