Tough luck in Townsville: Caps fall to Fire

The UC Capitals’ 3-game winning streak came to an end, as their nightmares in North Queensland continued. A gamebreaking 20-3 third quarter Townsville run broke the game open and Townsville cruised the rest of the way against a shorthanded Caps squad, who were also missing Chantel Horvat for this game.
First quarter
Both teams started out as hot as the North Queensland weather attacking the rim. Jade Melbourne, Nards Puoch, and Nicole Munger took turns penetrating the Fire defense early, while Townsville relied on their size. The back-and-forth affair continued throughout the quarter, with Indi Bowyer, getting her first start of the season, getting a couple layups, as Townsville’s new import Nia Coffey started to establish herself inside. Abby Bishop entered the game and took no time to splash a three-pointer to give the Caps the lead, 19-18. But Saffron Shiels quickly countered with an and-1. Both teams traded baskets the rest of the way, with Katie Deeble getting to the paint in the closing seconds to get the Caps within 1. But the Caps gave up a foul down the other end and Courtney Woods made 2 free throws to end the quarter scoring.
Townsville Fire 30, UC Capitals 27
Second quarter
Townsville opened up the 2nd quarter with an 8-0 run, highlighted by back to back Lauren Mansfield threes. After a Caps timeout, Munger settled things down for the Caps, scoring 9 straight points herself to get the Caps back in the game, 40-36. Charli Collier scored her first 2 points of the game with a middy, but Townsville unloaded an 13-2 run to open up a 53-40 lead at halftime.
HALFTIME
Townsville Fire 53
Wood 16pts, 7asts
Shiels 7pts. 3rebs
UC Capitals 40
Munger 11pts, 2rebs
Puoch 6pts, 6rebs
Third quarter
The last time these two teams played in Townsville, Coach Paul Goriss said that the Caps “capitulated” in the 3rd quarter. Looking to write a different narrative, Jade and Nards got to the bucket early to get the Caps within 11, 55-44. However, Townsville hit 6 threes in a game defining 20-3 run to open a 75-47 lead. The Caps tried to respond with Bishop finding Mon Bobongie inside and hitting a three herself, but the Fire were clicking on all cylinders and ended the quarter with a commanding 84-58 lead.
Townsville Fire 84, UC Capitals 58
Fourth quarter
With friends and family making the trip from Mackay, Mon opened up the 4th with two layups around a Shiels three pointer to close the gap, 87-63. A bit of sloppy play for both teams ensued, with either team failing to take advantage of turnovers and misses. But Townsville found a few inside baskets to restore a 93-65 lead. Charli Collier’s forgettable night ended with 5 minutes to go after she picked up her 5th foul with 5 minutes left, and Paul Goriss played out the rest of the game with the bench.
Townsville Fire 105
Courtney Woods 24pts, 4rebs, 11asts
Lauren Cox 19pts, 11rebs
Nia Coffey 13pts, 9rebs
UC Capitals 71
Nicole Munger 17pts, 3rebs
Mon Bobongie 12pts, 5rebs
Nards Puoch 12pts, 6rebs
NEXT GAME: UC Capitals v Southside Flyers, 3pm Saturday 25 January, AIS Arena