UC Caps secure huge win on the road
UC Capitals v Southside Flyers
It was a tale of the least experienced up against the most experienced at The State Basketball Centre for the UC Capitals first game of 2024. Head Coach Kristen Veal selected the same starting line up for the UC Capitals with Alex Bunton back in the fold after returning from a quad injury. For the Flyers, it was Bec Cole, Maddi Rocci, Nadia Puoch, Lauren Jackson and Mercedes Russell.
Quarter 1
Canberra’s Monica Okoye got the Caps started with some strong defence against Mercedes Russell to deny Southside their shot at the opening points. Both sides found it hard to find the bucket in the opening few minutes but it was Lauren Jackson who was the first to get on the scoreboard eight minutes in, followed by Nicole Munger with a three. Bunton re-entered the fold, and her height came in handy to score a quick two. Despite a strong few minutes from Canberra, Southside then managed a 9-0 run, forcing a timeout from Head Coach Kristen Veal. The Caps came back on the chase, to get the margin down to 6.
Caps 14, Flyers 20
Quarter 2
The hosts started the scoring in quarter two, with Lauren Jackon tipping off proceedings. Unfortunately, Fowler continued to be in foul trouble in the second quarter and was sent to the bench early but in her absence, Alex Sharp continued her great form with a driving two point lay-up. This proved to be the sweet spot for the Caps, who fought against the height of the Flyers to get into the paint. At the other end of the court and the fight continued, with some great stops from Bunton, Munger and Melbourne, to go into the break trailing by 4.
Flyers 34, Caps 30
Quarter 3
Jade Melbourne got back in her groove with a soaring three, followed by a right hand flick up and finish from Alex Sharp. The physicality never swayed as the Caps started to get hot from the arc, as Melbourne again shot a three which hardly shook the net. Offensive rebounding kept the Caps in the game, desperate to bridge the three-point gap. That was secured by number 10 Gemma Potter who pulled off a clutch steal and lay up, before she shot a perfect three to get the Caps ahead by 1. It was then Alex Sharp who ended the third quarter by going to the free throw lines and making the pair.
Caps 51, Flyers 48
Quarter 4
Determined to get their first away win in two seasons, Nicole Munger came out firing with a mid-range two pointer, followed by a massive three to get the hosts up by 8. Before we knew it, the Caps were ahead by double digits and confidence started to build. A transition basket off a missed free throw had the Caps lead by 9. Despite Southside fighting hard to claw back their lead, the Caps were well rehearsed for these scenarios and remained poised, calm and winners in 2024.
Caps 75, Flyers 65
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