The UC Capitals home opener against the Townsville Fire was a highly anticipated early season showdown between two teams looking to make a serious title run. In the end, Townsville proved why they are the title favorites, putting their foot down early and never letting up, cruising to a dominant 105-70 win at the AIS Arena.
First quarter
Kadi Sissoko opened up the scoring with an inside bucket. After a few minutes of both teams trading baskets, Townsville was able to create the first point of separation between the two teams, with Lauren Cox and ex-Cap Chantel Horvat getting loose for inside baskets as the Fire opened up a 21-12 lead. Mon Bobongie and Jayda Clark checked in and led a 7-0 run to cut the lead down to 2. But the Fire closed the quarter strong, with Alex Fowler scoring at the buzzer to stretch the Townsville lead back to 7.
UC Caps 21
Townsville Fire 28
Second quarter
The Fire picked up where they left off, with Chantel Horvat getting more inside baskets to help the visitors open up a 36-23 lead. Abbey Ellis continued her hot shooting, and after a Miela Sowah 4-pt play and layup, the Fire lead was up to 21. The Caps had a few chances to close the gap, but couldn’t get shots to drop as they headed to halftime facing a big deficit.
UC Caps 33
Townsville Fire 54
Key performers
UC Caps
Kadi Sissoko 10pts 2rebs
Jade Melbourne 6pts 3asts
Townsville Fire
Abbey Ellis 13pts (4/4 fgs)
Courtney Woods 11pts 5rebs 7asts
Third quarter
The Caps stepped up their defensive intensity to start the 3rd quarter to inch closer. A Sara Blicavs 3 with 3:12 to go in the quarter got the home side to within 14, 51-65, forcing a Townsville timeout. But off the timeout, the Fire locked back in and closed the quarter strong, with Chantel Horvat doing her work inside to lead the Fire to a 75-58 lead.
Fourth quarter
Unfortunately for the home team, the fourth quarter was much of the same: a few highlights here and there, but the Fire just kept rolling. Local heroes Abby Solway and Zara Russell getting their first playing time of the season gave the crowd something to cheer about, and Tayha Watkins made two free throws late for her first career points. In the end, the Fire proved why they are the title favorites, and the Caps will go back to the drawing board and use this game to get better moving forward.
Key performers
UC Caps
Kadi Sissoko 20pts (10/16 fgs), 8rebs, 2asts
Jade Melbourne 10pts, 3rebs, 6asts
Townsville Fire
Courtney Woods 16pts, 7rebs, 14asts
Chantel Horvat 20pts, 9rebs
Meila Sowah 18pts, 3rebs, 3asts
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