The UC Capitals opened up the WNBL26 season with a nearly wire-to-wire victory, 80-71, over the Southside Melbourne Flyers at John Cain Arena. It’s the first time in four seasons that the Caps have won their season opener. Four Caps scored in double figures, led by Sara Blicavs, who had a near double-double with 19 points and 9 rebounds in her first WNBL game since her 2023.
Here's how it went down.
First quarter
After a couple shaky possessions, Jade and Nards got the Caps scoring going by getting to the line. Nards showed early signs that she’s ready to even go up another level this season with 7 early points. Madi Rocci kept the Flyers afloat with a 3 and a layup of her own, but then Sara Blicavs opened her WNBL26 account with back-to-back 3s to give the Caps a 16-9 lead with 3 mins to go. Kadi then got herself going scoring the Caps last 8 points of the quarter in a variety of ways to give the Caps a 24-16 lead to end the quarter.
Second quarter
The Flyers came out with greater intensity to start the 2nd quarter getting to line and cutting the lead down to 3 after 2fts by Haylee Andrews. The Caps settled back into the game with Sara getting an inside basket followed by Jayda and Nards baskets. Rocci and Reed kept the Flyers in the game, as Nicole Munger started to get going for the Caps. After back-to-back baskets from Munger and Sara, the Caps opened up a 10-point lead forcing a Flyers timeout. The Caps kept the pressure with Jade getting a basket off a Rocci turnover and after a Nards free-throw, the Caps were up 13. The Flyers closed the half with an Issie Bourne 3 to stay within 10 entering halftime.
Halftime
UC Capitals 48
Southside Melbourne Flyers 38
Key performers
Caps
Sara Blicavs 12 pts, 6 rebs
Nards Puoch 10 pts 2 rebs 2 asts
Jade Melbourne 7 pts, 2 rebs, 6 asts
Flyers
Maddi Rocci 9 pts, 3 rebs, 5 asts
Tera Reed 10 pts 2 asts
Issie Bourne 9 pts, 4 rebs
Third quarter
The Caps picked up where they left off opening the 3rd quarter with a 14-2 run to open up a 22-point lead. Kadi, Nards and Jade led the big run to put the visitors in control. Tera Reed continued her stellar opener for the Flyers, continuously getting to the basket and singlehandedly kept the Flyers in striking distance. With the Flyers finally getting their footing, the home team closed the quarter with a 8-0 run to cut the lead back to 10 66-56 Caps.
Fourth quarter
The Flyers kept their momentum in the fourth with breakout star Tera Reed getting another paint bucket to cut it down to 8. But back-to-back 3s by co-captains Jade and Sara restored order for the Caps, opening up a 14-point lead. The Flyers refused to stay down though, with Tera Reed continuing her assault towards the basket, with her layup with 6 minutes to go cutting the lead down to 7, 72-65. But Sara and Kadi provided timely baskets to push the lead back out to 11. The Flyers kept pushing and cut the lead back to 7 and they had a few opportunities to get closer but couldn’t capitalise. Jade beat the shot clock with a floater and Munger added her own floater late to seal the win for the Caps, their first opening round win in four seasons.
FINAL
UC Capitals 80
Southside Melbourne Flyers 71
Key stat
37:35 – the amount of time the Caps led during the game. After a Rocci 3 tied the game at 5-all, Jade Melbourne scored her first field goal and the Caps never looked back.
Key performances
UC Capitals
Sara Blicavs 19 pts (3/5 3pt), 9 rebs
Nyadiew Puoch 16 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts
Kadi Sissoko 15 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts
Jade Melbourne 15 pts, 6 rebs, 8 asts
Southside Melbourne Flyers
Tera Reed 22 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts
Issie Bourne 18 pts, 9 rebs, 1 ast
Maddi Rocci 14 pts, 4 rebs, 7 asts
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