Two straight: Caps turn up the heat defensively to beat Geelong
On a hot and humid day in Victoria, the UC Capitals dialled in their best defensive performance of the season to capture their second straight victory, 73-60.
The Caps built off the defensive effort they displayed in the second half of their win against Townsville, and held Geelong to just 23 second half points – including only 9 in the final quarter – to slowly pull away from what was a tight contest throughout.
Despite her worst shooting performance of the season, Jade Melbourne once again led the Caps with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. While Jade only shot 3/19 from the field (3/11 from deep), she managed to do her damage from the stripe, getting there often and converting 9/10 free throws.
Charli Collier, coming off her most impactful game as a Cap, came through once again with 14 (6/10 fgs, 2/3 fts) points and 7 rebounds, anchoring the defense and helping hold Keely Froling to just 7 points on 2/14 shooting – 12 below her average – two days after helping limit twin sister Alicia to just 2 points.
Here’s how it unfolded.
First quarter
Geelong came out firing to start the game, capitalising on sloppy early play from the Caps to open up a 9-0 lead. Charli Collier finally settled the Caps with an and-1, then Nyadiew Puoch got going with transition baskets and drawing fouls to get the Caps back in the game 13-10.
Chantel Horvat, who spent much of her junior years in Geelong made an early impact on the offensive glass, and her kickout off a miss led to a Jade Melbourne 3 to give the Caps their first taste of the lead 17-15.
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Off the timeout, Gemma Potter and Haley Jones came alive combining for 7 points to give United a slim 1-point margin at the end of the quarter.
Geelong 22, UC Caps 21.
Second quarter
The Caps started the second quarter strong, with Collier doing work in the post. Horvat and Mon Bobongie joined in on the action hitting a 3 and an and-1 on back-to-back possessions as the Caps opened up a 31-24 lead.
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The Caps aggressiveness had United on the back foot early, forcing the home team into penalty with still over 7 minutes remaining in the quarter.
After a few empty possessions, United got back on track with a 10-3 run over the next 5 minutes of play to tie the game 34. Melbourne responded with a deep 3-ball off a Horvat offensive rebound to put the Caps back up 3, before United closed the quarter with Haley Jones and Keely Froling combining for 3 free throws to tie the game going into the half.
Geelong 37, UC Caps 37
Third quarter
As they did to start the second, the Caps started off the third quarter hot, with Mon Bobongie hitting two inside buckets – the second coming off a pinpoint Jade pass on a backdoor cut. After Collier converted inside, United called an early timeout to try to break momentum.
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Haley Jones responded for United with an inside bucket, but the Caps run continued with Melbourne hitting a booming step back 3, followed by two free throws to open up a 48-39 lead.
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United rallied with Gemma Potter scoring five straight points. A Daniel Raber jump shot cut the lead down to 2 with 2:35 left, but Nicole Munger hit a huge and-1 to put the Caps up 54-49. Collier had a putback and two Melbourne free throws had the Caps up 7 heading into the fourth.
UC Caps 58, Geelong 51
Fourth quarter
After Collier opened the quarter with a baseline turnaround jumper, Haley Jones would score the next four points for United to cut the Caps lead 60-55 with 8:45 left.
From there, the Caps tightened the screws defensively for nine straight misses and holding Geelong scoreless for over six minutes of gametime. During the stretch, the Caps managed to steadily find ways to score, with Melbourne getting to the line and Puoch finding her spots in the paint to open up a 68-55 lead.
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Jones finally ended the drought for United at the 2:29 mark. After Hannah Hank hit two free throws to cut the lead to nine, 68-59, with 1:43 left, Munger hit a dagger three with the shot clock running out to ice the game and send the Caps to their second straight win.
Final – UC Caps 73, Geelong United 60
Key performers
UC Caps
Jade Melbourne 18 points (3/19 fgs, 9/10 fts), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Nyadiew Puoch 13 points (5/7 fgs), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Charli Collier 14 points (6/10 fgs), 7 rebounds, 1 steal
Geelong United
Haley Jones 16 points (6/15 fgs), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 blocks
Gemma Potter 14 points (5/11 fgs)1 rebound, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 block
Key stat
Collier, Puoch, and Bobongie combined for 34 points on 14/23 shooting to help offset off shooting games from fellow starters Horvat and Melbourne.
Next game: UC Caps v Bendigo Spirit, 7:30pm on Saturday 30 November at Red Energy Arena in Bendigo.