UC Capitals record clutch maiden win over Fire
What a game!
The UC Capitals have recorded their first win of the 2024/25 Cygnett WNBL season, edging the Townsville Fire 81-80, in-front of a loud and proud Canberra crowd.
The contest came down to the wire, with both teams taking it to the limit in both offence and defense. A physical moment in the second quarter was the turning point that led to both teams upping the physicality which made for a fast-paced, passionate and euphoric game.
There were no changes to the Caps starting lineup, with Chantel Horvat, Jade Melbourne, Monique Bobongie, Nyadiew Puoch and Charli Collier taking to the floor first.
For the visitors it was Zia Cooke, Courtney Woods, Alicia Froling, Lauren Cox, and Abby Ellis contesting the jump ball.
Here is how it played out.
First Quarter
As the game got underway, the Caps tried to make a statement early with some big plays in both defense and offence. Melbourne scored early with two go-ahead points, and Collier backed it up with her signature lock up defense. However, it wasn’t enough to stop Townsville as they went hard hitting all their shots around the paint.
The Caps seemed rattled and in need of direction after Townsville drove their way to a nine point lead with six minutes to go in the quarter, as Townsville’s heavy screen offence gave the Caps trouble.
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But a clutch Munger steal, which led to a three-pointer on the other end, put and end to the Fire’s momentum. Townsville head coach Shannon Seebohm, took a timeout to calm his team down, and the visitors locked back in defensively and ended the quarter up 20-12.
Fire 20, Caps, 12
Second quarter
As the second quarter kicked off, the Caps created waves early with a strong Katie Deeble three to cut into the Fire’s lead. Puoch followed up with an easy two to get the Caps off to a strong start, and a rolling screen and pass to Deeble allowed for another clutch three taking the match back in range for the Caps.
Townsville tried to give it back just as hard in the paint making the Capitals work for each and every point, resulting in Collier getting fouled on the block. Following the foul, as Alicia Froling was walking to her team, she made heavy contact into Collier and dropped to the floor resulting in a tense moment of the match.
After the drama, the referees called Collier for an unsportsmanlike foul and Froling a technical foul, giving both teams an opportunity at the free-throw line.
With the game back under way it was frantic and both teams were getting revved up. The Caps made the most of this, and a quick timeout gave the go ahead for Melbourne to push her teams offensive efforts which resulted in a huge three-pointer. The focus then turned to keeping the Caps in their groove, taking Townsville up and down the court and securing a one point lead at 39-38 with two minutes left in the quarter.
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A Townsville timeout gave them some breathing room, slowing down the Caps pace and matching their efforts at both ends of the floor. Deeble was once again came in clutch with a three-pointer to keep the Caps in range on the scoreboard heading into the main break.
Leading scorers at the half were Lauren Cox with 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Courtney Woods with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
For the home team, Jade Melbourne had 15 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds, and Puoch followed with 6 points, 2 rebounds.
Fire 48, Caps 42
Third quarter
The Capitals practically ran out of the sheds with the same mission to keep their offence moving, Melbourne shot a big three-pointer and with some fouls being drawn in the paint by Puoch, Townsville was left searching for answers. The Caps pushed the physicality in defense which didn’t go their way with Puoch getting to 5 fouls and fouling out.
It was play-for-play as both teams as the Canberra became increasingly more vocal. The physicality was well on display with the Caps taking it to heart and rolling their offence to make it a one-point game with three minutes remaining in the quarter.
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Townsville weren’t going down without a fight however, with Cox and Ellis combining to put pressure on the scoreboard but the Caps held strong and were up by one possession at the final break.
Caps 65 – 63 Fire
4th Quarter
The final quarter started living up to the excitement as both teams wanted to get that win. The defense from the Caps was the strongest it’s ever been, with Ella Tofaeono and Indi Bowyer combining off the bench to take on their former side. It was a back-and-forth tussle between the teams, but the Caps managed to find points through Horvat, Melbourne and Bobongie under heavy contact.
Townsville kept firing back but the Caps held on through Collier who created a contest around the rim and managed to get a quick two and a foul which gave the Capitals all the direction it needed. Bobongie’s new-found injection in the game moved the team, recording an impressive steal to get the Caps the lead.
The Caps defense was giving no budge as Townsville failed to execute on three occasions before calling a timeout with 3 minutes remaining. Horvat got the Capitals going out of the timeout and with everything coming together it was looking all Capitals as a Jade Melbourne layup got a roar from the crowd.
However, Townsville forced a foul at the rim gave them the points to take it to one point difference of UC with a minute left 81-80. With time expiring the Caps had to close it out through defense as Townsville tried their best to get a basket.
After a back and forth contest between both teams it was getting tense and no one was giving up. It wound down to Townsville having to score of one last possession pushing it down court, the Caps well timed pressure forced a early shot leading to Capitals breaking the four game losing streak in front of a home crowd.
Caps 81, Fire 80.
Leading scorers were Zia Cooke 20 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and Lauren Cox 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist for the visiting side. For the Capitals
Jade Melbourne ended with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists and Charli Collier 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists.
Next game: UC Capitals at Geelong United, 5pm Saturday 23 November at Geelong Arena.