Perth Lynx edge out gutsy UC Capitals side
The UC Capitals have fallen 2-points short in an absolute thriller match at their second outing at the AIS Arena in front of a 1,412 Canberra crowd.
Capitals star Charli Collier controlled the interior, grabbing 12 rebounds while Jade Melbourne had another solid all-around outing proving 20 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds in a fierce battle.
Showing flashes of her potential in the first two games, Nyadiew Puoch finally had a breakout game, stepping up and scoring 20 points to keep the Caps in striking distance all game, but it was not enough for the run-n-gun pace of the Perth Lynx.
The Caps rolled out their regular Starting Five of Jade Melbourne, Monique Bobongie, Charli Collier, Nyadiew Puoch and Chantel Horvat. Hitting the court for the visitors were Miela Sowah, Ally Wilson, Alex Ciabattoni, Laeticia Amihere and Anneli Maley.
First Quarter
The quarter kicked off with Perth taking charge and scoring quickly, which was quickly countered as Collier kicked the Caps into gear with a strong defensive rebound which led into Chantel Horvat getting to get to the rim.
The Caps’ defense was much better in this game, forcing turnovers and contested shots. Horvat and Puoch had back to back and ones as the Caps took a 21-14 lead. Perth wasn’t going away easy though, and countered right away with a 13-4 run of their own to close the quarter leading by two.
Perth Lynx 27, UC Capitals 25.
Second Quarter
The second quarter started off with a quick 7-2 Caps run built around baskets by Nicole Munger, Melbourne and Puoch. But like they did in the first quarter, Perth responded with an 8-0 run of their own forcing a Caps timeout with 6:27 left.
The Caps came off the timeout with the bench, particularly Katie Deeble announcing herself two three-pointers. Melbourne’s playmaking found her teammates open looks throughout the quarter with Horvat benefitting as she increased her tally to 11 points.
While Perth continued to try and outpace the home team, the Caps defense tightened up as the quarter wound down. A Munger putback followed by a defensive top led to Deeble hit a huge three at the buzzer – her third of the quarter to give the Caps the lead heading into the half.
Leading the scoring for the Caps was Melbourne and Horvat with 12 and 11 points respectively. For the visitors, Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and Laeticia Amihere had 12 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.
UC Capitals 51, Perth Lynx 47
Third Quarter
For the first time this season, the Caps had a lead to open the third quarter and they started strong with Monique Bobongie hitting a 3 to stretch it out to seven. Perth kept it close as Puoch started to heat up, getting to the basket for tough finishes and drawing fouls. Amihere and Ally Wilson kept answering for the visitors though and the competition became a back and forth battle with the Caps holding on to a slim margin.
With 2:35 left in the quarter, the Caps opened up a 69-60 lead off the back of two Melbourne free throws. But as they’ve done all game, the Lynx weren’t going away, with Steph Gorman hitting back to back triples to keep within striking distance. Perth closed the quarter outscoring the Caps 8-3 to keep the margin the same as it was at halftime.
UC Capitals 72, Perth Lynx 68
Fourth Quarter
Perth continued to put the pressure on to start the fourth, scoring six straight points to wrestle back the lead 74-72. Collier picked up her fourth foul of the game on an offensive foul as she continued to battle Perth’s physical and scrappy interior defense. .
With seven minutes remaining, it was anyone’s game as the scores were tied at 76 heading into a Caps timeout. The visitors responded big, with Sowah, Ciabattoni and Amihere conspiring for a crucial 9-0 run over the next two minutes.
Indi Bowyer and Bobongie tried to keep the Caps in the game, but an Anneli Maley layup with 3:33 left put Perth up 89-80, and the game was seemingly out of reach.
The Caps dug deep, with Jade Melbourne kicking off their last stand with a huge step back three. Collier asserted herself in the paint with two free throws and a tough layup and the Caps were suddenly only down by 3, 90-87 with under two minutes left. A huge defensive stand by the Caps led to a Munger corner three to tie the game, as the Canberra faithful cheered on, trying to will the home team to an improbable win.
After two empty possessions by both teams, Munger had a chance to give the Caps the lead but missed a contested jumpshot in the lane. The Lynx grabbed the rebound and the ball ended up in the hands of their superstar Maley, who drove baseline and pulled up for a midrange baseline over the outstretched arms of Katie Deeble. The shot dropped with 1.6 seconds left, taking the air out of the AIS Arena.
The Caps had one last chance at the buzzer but Melbourne’s baseline floater off the timeout was long, and the Lynx escaped with a 92-90 win.
Final Score Perth Lynx 92, UC Capitals 90.
Key Performers
UC Capitals
Nyadiew Puoch 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Jade Melbourne 20 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists
Perth Lynx
Laeticia Amihere 24 points (10-12 fgs), 10 rebounds, 1 assist
Miela Sowah 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Key Stats: Caps stars Collier and Melbourne each picked up four fouls early in the fourth quarter, forcing Coach Paul Goriss to try and find some lineup combinations with the bench.
Next game: UC Capitals vs Southside Flyers, 12.30pm Sunday 17 November at State Basketball Center in Victoria.