Cardiac Caps: Nyadiew Puoch halfcourt walkoff stuns the Perth Lynx

In what could be the game of the WNBL26 season, Nyadiew Puoch and the UC Capitals delivered the most dramatic of finishes – a walkoff halfcourt buzzer beater to stun the red-hot Perth Lynx at the AIS Arena.

The Caps came into the game severely undermanned and as heavy underdogs against the Lynx who have won 7 straight games by an average of 23 points. But Nyadiew Puoch had other plans as she delivered one of the best games of her young career to date in the upset.

The much-needed win allowed the Caps to stay in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot (tied 7-8 with the Flyers, but own the tiebreaker having won the season series) and gives the Caps confidence and momentum as it heads towards a grueling 4-game road trip starting next Saturday in Sydney.

First quarter

Seeking to bounce back strong, the Caps got out of the gates running with Nards and Jayda hitting two early threes to set the tone. The Caps carried their strong defensive effort from the last time they played the Lynx in Perth, holding the visitors to 14 points in the quarter and dominating the boards with a 16-8 advantage. Nards led the way for the home team with 7 first quarter points.

Second quarter

The Lynx bounced back strong in the 2nd quarter with Han Xu asserting her dominance, scoring 12 of her 14 in the quarter. Jayda and Nards kept the Caps afloat, but the Lynx closed the half with an 8-2 run to tie the game heading into the half.

Third quarter

Off the halftime break, Perth came out with energy with Han continuing her dominance. She scored 7 early points as the Lynx opened up their biggest lead of the game 52-43. But the Caps countered with a 12-0 run of their own, with Nards, Jayda, Z and Munger all contributing. A Lynx timeout did little to stop the Caps momentum, as Teige Morrell scored 5 straight before Perth closed the quarter with 4 straight to close the gap 60-56 to enter the 4th quarter.

Fourth quarter

The Lynx stars flexed their muscles in the 4th as the Lynx took control of the game and threatened to pull away. But as she had done all game, Nards refused to let the Caps fall hitting clutch baskets to keep the home team close. Han Xu’s basket with about 3:30 left gave the Lynx a 70-67 lead but the Caps defense held strong as the offense came up empty. Z then came up with a big layup and after another strong defensive stand, Kadi Sissoko hit a corner triple in semi transition to give the Caps a 72-70 lead with just over 2 mins remaining. After another Caps stop, Kadi struck again, hitting a midrange jumpshot.

The Lynx answered back with Han and Maley converting 4 straight points, and after the Caps came up empty, it set up the dramatic final sequence:

"I was actually glad that we didn't have to go into overtime honestly," said Nards postgame.

"I don't even know. I just threw it up and it went in and the game's over. But we played really well from the start."

The Caps will now play their next four games on the road - and 5 of their next 6 - in a crucial stretch that includes a cross country trip to Perth for Hoopsfest to take on the Townsville Fire, and an away-home set against ladder leaders Bendigo. But first up is a game against the Flames next Saturday.

"I preached to the team when those two (Sara Blicavs and Jade Melbourne) went down that I still have great confidence in who we have to win basketball games. We have enough in that locker room to continue to compete at a high level, because of the quality of players we have, but we need everybody," said coach Paul Goriss.

"We keep ourselves alive, but we've also got a tough road ahead."