The UC Capitals Finals dreams ended on Tuesday night after suffering an 82-75 defeat to the Southside Melbourne Flyers in a hard-fought contest that saw both sides playing desperate basketball.
With the way the ladder unfolded throughout the season, it became apparent even through late December and early January that this game was probably going to decide who gets the last Finals ticket and both teams put on a performance worthy of a do-or-die contest.
First quarter
The Caps got off to a hot start led by Nicole Munger who came out of the gates firing with 11 first quarter points. Jade Melbourne also started aggressively draining a three of her own and drawing two shooting fouls in the quarter. While the Flyers settled a bit, the Caps ended the first quarter up 26-20.
Second quarter
Jadeo opened the quarter with her 2nd three-ball of the contest to stretch the lead to 9, but from there, the Flyers steadily chipped away eventually tying the game at 35 on a Cayla George three, and subsequently taking the lead courtesy of Tera Reed at the line. From there, the teams would trade baskets and battle to a standstill at halftime 44-all.
Munger and Jade led the Caps with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Third quarter
The third quarter featured more of the same from both sides – one team would make a basket, the other would follow suit. The Flyers eventually opened up a bit of a gap through Issy Bourne, Maddy Rocci, and Haley Peters, but Jade and Munger’s 3pt shooting kept the Caps within striking distance entering the final frame down only by 4, 64-60.
Fourth quarter
The Caps started this one with Emme Shearer hitting a 3 and Nards converting a fastbreak layup off a steal to take back the lead 65-64. They had chances to extend the lead, holding the Flyers scoreless through the first 2:30 of the quarter but couldn’t capitalise. From there, the Flyers took advantage – scoring 9 straight points as the Caps offensive struggles surfaced at the worst possible time. Jade Melbourne’s layup with 4 minutes remaining would end a 5-minute scoring drought but the Flyers would quickly answer back. Down 75-69 with 2:30 left in the game, the Caps had a chance to get close after Nards emphatically blocked Rocci’s layup but Isa’s 3-pt attempt went missing and Z missed her shot off an offensive board. On the other end, Haylee Andrew drilled a dagger triple to essentially dash the Caps hopes.
FINAL SCORE
UC Capitals 75
Southside Melboure Flyers 82
KEY PERFORMERS
Caps
Jade Melbourne – 23 pts (8/15 fg), 6 rebs, 3 asts
Nicole Munger – 17 pts (6/12 fg), 4 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls
Nyadiew Puoch – 10 pts (3/8 fg), 4 rebs, 3 asts, 3 stls, 4 blks
Flyers
Isabelle Bourne – 22 pts (9/10 fg) 3 rebs, 4 asts
Maddy Rocci – 17 pts (6/17 fg), 2 rebs, 10 asts, 4 stls
Cayla George – 10 pts (4/8 fg), 15 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls, 4 blks
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