PREVIEW: UC Capitals V Perth Lynx
UC Capitals V Perth Lynx
Wednesday, 22 January
7pm tip-off
NCCC
Tickets: click here.
Game Day Program: click here.
Livestream: click here.
Live stats: click here.
—
The revitalised UC Capitals look to continue their winning streak this Wednesday against the Perth Lynx.
While it’s unusual to be playing midweek, it’s a special game dedicated to raising money for those affected by the bushfires with $2 for every person through the doors to be donated to the Red Cross. It’s also the final game of the 5-game Kia Nurse and Kelsey Griffin pledge to donate $5 for every UC Capitals’ point to bushfire relief. We’re currently at 333 points and hope to have another high scoring game to top it off.
After two difficult road upsets, the Capitals found their confidence again after a statement overtime-win against the Melbourne Boomers. This was followed up with a blowout victory against top of table team, the Southside Flyers, despite missing key players Kelsey Griffin and Keely Froling.
The Capitals will remain undermanned against the Perth Lynx in their third of four games in 10 days, but the team won’t make any excuses after proving what they’re capable of in Round 14.
Maddison Rocci (19 points) and Alex Delaney (13 points) both posted career-highs on the weekend and were pivotal to the Capitals victory.
Delaney filled in big minutes for the injured Froling who broke her nose and fractured her cheek on Friday night. She had been playing the four spot a lot in practice and attributed that preparation to her success in their last game. Expect another solid performance from Delaney as she has capitalises on getting the extra minutes.
Rocci, who is known for her on-ball defense this season in the starting five, demonstrated great improvement in her offense as she stepped up and took big shots. “I do believe my offensive end has improved but it also helps with the players you have around you at the time. The ball moved really well, which led to open shots and open drive,” said Rocci. Expect the guard to put together more performances like this one as her offensive arsenal continues to grow.
Kia Nurse was named the WNBL Player of The Week after averaging 28 points over the weekend and if she can continue to shoot that well, Perth will have a hard time keeping up.
Although the Lynx have been ruled out finals, a win for them could make a lot of difference to the top of the table as teams fight to be in the top two to secure home court advantages in the semi-final series. The UC Capitals are sitting narrowly behind the Melbourne Boomers and are looking to steal that second-place spot. As the UC Capitals are known to play best when at home, having only lost one game in Canberra this season so far, the home court advantage could be very dangerous.
Perth is coming off a big win to Townsville despite missing import Imani McGee-Stafford and should not be underestimated in their final game against the UC Capitals.