Following a 35-point loss to the Townsville Fire, the UC Capitals took the show to Adelaide, eager to bounce back against a Lightning team that was also looking to bounce back from a blowout loss. The Lightning jumped out of the gates quick and opened up a big lead, forcing the Caps to play from behind almost the whole game. As Adelaide opened up a double-digit lead in the 4th quarter, the Caps made a valiant comeback but ultimately fell to their second loss in a row. Here’s how it played out.
First quarter
The Caps started the game flat with turnovers, missed free throws and missed inside baskets. Meanwhile, the Lightning struck early with Serena Sundell providing early buckets – a coast-to-coast layup and a corner three by the Adelaide import gave the home team an early 17-4 lead, forcing a Caps timeout. Nicole Munger came off the bench to provide a spark, scoring 6 quick points, while Kadi Sissoko finally got going with a 3 and a midrange pullup. A Jade Melbourne steal and layup had the Caps finally up 21-19 forcing Adelaide to call a timeout. Steph Talbot hit a 3 towards the end of the quarter to round up the scoring.
UC Caps 21
Adelaide Lightning 22
Second quarter
Both teams started the quarter trading baskets through the first four minutes. The Lightning’s Dallas Loughridge finally got on board on a drive and Steph Talbot followed it up with an inside basket to give the Lightning a 30-27 lead. After a couple more sloppy possessions from the Caps, Loughridge hit another 3 to build a 6-point lead, forcing Goz to call his second timeout of the quarter. Another Loughridge 3 had the Lightning up 36-29. The Caps tried to up the defensive pressure, but Jasmine Fejo had the home team up 41-34 after a transition layup with less than a minute left. Kadi Sissoko then hit a huge and-1 and after Nards took a charge, Jayda Clark found Isa Brancatisano in the right corner for a buzzer beating 3 to bring the Caps back within 1 at the half.
Halftime
UC Caps 40
Adelaide Lightning 41
Key performers
Caps
Kadi Sissoko 9pts, 7rebs, 2asts
Sara Blicavs 8pts, 4rebs
Lightning
Serena Sundell 10pts, 3rebs, 2stls
Steph Talbot 10pts, 3rebs, 2asts
Third quarter
The Caps started the quarter with a focus on getting the ball inside, with Teige and Sara getting two inside baskets. With the game slowing down and turning into a defensive grind, baskets were hard to come by. Kadi put Canberra up by 1 with a pullup in the lane, but Feagin, Sundell, and Loughridge responded for the Lightning to put them up 51-46 with under 4 minutes left. The Caps frustrating afternoon down south continued with turnover after turnover allowing the Lightning to open up a 58-50 lead heading into the final quarter.
UC Caps 50
Adelaide Lightning 58
Fourth quarter
Adelaide carried their momentum into the fourth, while the Caps still looked stuck on first gear getting outhustled for rebounds and hounded offensively. Sania Feagin kept up with her best WNBL showing so far, scoring baskets inside to give the Lightning a 66-55 lead. Off the timeout, the Caps finally found something, with Munger scoring back to back baskets, followed by Teige Morrell scoring on back to back post ups to cut the lead down to 3. Munger had a chance to tie the game but missed on a 3 as both teams traded empty possessions. After Talbot hit 2 free throws, Teige scored on another post up, but Feagin and Sundell responded with baskets to keep the Caps at bay and the Lightning up 7 with a minute to go. The Caps couldn’t get anything going late and Dallas Loughridge sealed the game at the line.
FINAL
UC Caps 65
Adelaide Lightning 73
Key performers
UC Caps
Teige Morrell 15pts, 6rebs
Nicole Munger 14pts 5rebs
Adelaide Lightning
Sania Feagin 19pts, 10rebs
Steph Talbot 18pts, 5rebs, 4asts, 4stls
Key stat
35 – The Caps field goal percentage. In addition to 20 turnovers, the Caps didn’t do themselves any favours as they played from behind almost the entire game.
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