UC Capitals finish off season with one-point thriller
In their last game of the 2023/24 season, the UC Capitals put up a thrilling performance against the Melbourne Boomers going down, 74-75, in the final seconds.
A season high 1,745 fans filled out the NCCC to cheer the Caps on as the club hosted their second Domestic Violence Awareness Round.
Taking to the court first for the Caps was Jade Melbourne, Gemma Potter, Alex Sharp, Alex Fowler and Monica Okoye. While for the Boomers, it was Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, Keely Froling, Sara Blicavs and Amiee Rocci.
Q1
The quarter kicked off with the Boomers scoring first through Froling who got the points ticking over with a layup to the basket. The Caps replied in style through Potter, jumping to pull in a rebound – she put the ball back up in the same motion to put the Caps on the board. She made it back-to-back baskets for her team on the next position after converting a right-handed layup. The match became one of the Caps most intense games of the season, with the Boomers applying full-court pressure early. Okoye was forced to leave the court after a head knock and did not return for the rest of the game. The Caps took a moment to adjust to the defence but were soon matching it point-for-point with the visitors. Hillmon was central to the Boomers team and took on the bulk of their first quarter scoring.
Caps 22 – Boomers 26
Q2
Coming back from the first break, Rocci pulled up for a three-pointer to start the quarter with impact and the Boomers hit the ground running, managing several turnovers off the Caps. Keeping the ball in their end of the court, Hillmon continued to drop basket after basket down low in the paint. The Caps soon pulled back the margin with back-to-back three pointers from Potter and Munger. Fowler also found herself at the centre of the Caps offence, posting up down low to create multiple scoring opportunities. Halfway through the term and the Caps had managed to claw it back to a 1-point ball game. The Canberra Crowd came alive as Munger hit a three to give them their first lead of the game which they managed to maintain into the main break.
Top scorers for the half were Munger with 12 points, followed by Potter and Fowler with 11 points each. For the visitors, Hillmon lead with 22 points, 2 rebounds and Canada with 8 points.
Caps 48 – Boomers 44
Q3
Coming back for the second half, Sharp got the crowd roaring with a 3-pointer to start off. The Caps continued to share the load with four players already in double-digits for the match. Canada directed traffic for the visiting side and used her speed to drive to the basket. Halfway through the quarter and the Boomers had brought it back to a two-point margin once again. It was low scoring quarter for both sides as they battled it out defensively, with Sharp getting the Caps only points across 7 minutes. Boomers took the lead in the dying seconds as Hillmon knocked down some free throws.
Caps 55 – Boomers 60
Q4
Returning for the final quarter of the season, the Caps came out with determination. The first points came through Munger who got the crowd alive after the Caps found her open and she knocked down a three-pointer. Hillmon continued to steal the show, as she managed basket after basket within the key. Potter had a bittersweet end to her game, knocking down an important three-pointer, but then getting her fifth foul down the other end and fouling out. With four minutes left and coming off a timeout, Jade Melbourne fired up to steal possession off the Boomers and score off a fast break to make it a two-point game. Fellow co-captain, Sharp, hit a three of her own to get her team up by one with 90 seconds left. The game drew level again when Canada sunk a free-throw and the Caps were left with 7 seconds left to make a play. Unfortunately, the Boomers defence thwarted the Caps last attempt and got the ball to Canada who drew a foul and won the game with another free throw.
Top scorers for the Caps was Munger with 20 points, 2 rebounds and Sharp with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. For the Boomers, Hillmon finished with 35 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and Canada had 22 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
Caps 74 – Boomers 75