Thriller in Geelong: Munger three caps Capitals comeback against Venom

The UC Caps travelled to Geelong, where they have never lost, seeking an important win to keep their WNBL finals hopes alive and this one was a movie. Neither team gave much to each other in a back and forth affair all the way to the final buzzer. Down 7 with 90 seconds left, the Caps refused to quit, showing the fight and resilience and rallied to take the lead back with a Nicole Munger three ball with 2.1 seconds to go, and after a final defensive stand, the squad is flying back to Canberra relieved and confident ahead of a Tuesday night match against the Adelaide Lightning.

First quarter

The Caps had a few changes to the starting lineup, inserting Isa Brancatisano and Jayda Clark in Jade Melbourne and Nyadiew Pouch’s place to try and provide a spark. Geelong opened the game strong, scoring the first eight points before Sara Blicavs got the Caps going with a three-pointer. Jade checked into the game at around the 7 minute mark and immediately made an impact scoring four straight points. Sara continued her hot start with her second three ball and a fast break layup to tie the game. Shyla Heal scored four straight for the Venom to give them a four point lead before a Jayda Clark layup at the buzzer settled the quarter score at 18-16 for the Venom.

UC Capitals 16
Geelong Venom 18

Second quarter

The star guards took over to start the second quarter, with Shyla Heal and Jade Melbourne trading baskets. A Jaz Shelley three ball gave Geelong a 29-25 lead, before the Caps scored the next seven, with Zitina Aokuso finally getting on the scoreboard with a putback and two free throws. After Isa gave the Caps a 32-29 lead with a minute left, the Venom fought back, scoring the last six points of the quarter to take a 35-32 lead into the half.

Halftime

UC Capitals 32
Geelong Venom 35

Key performers

UC Caps
Sara Blicavs 10 pts (2/3 3pt) 1 reb, 1 ast
Jade Melbourne 9 pts, 2 rebs, 1 ast

Geelong Venom
Shyla Heal 10 pts, 1 reb, 2 asts
Jaz Shelley 10 pts, 3 reb, 3 blks

Third quarter

The third quarter started slowly as both teams struggled with turnovers and missed shots. The Caps got going a bit – Zitina and Jade scored on layups, Sara continued her solid shooting, and Kadi got going as the Caps opened up a 46-42 lead. But Jaz Shelley found her groove, hitting three straight three pointers. Lily Rotunno got into the action with a three pointer of her own, before Jade closed the quarter with a jumper to pull the Caps within 2.

UC Capitals 51
Geelong Venom 53

Fourth quarter

Nards opened up the quarter getting into the scoring column with a three and a layup. But the Venom quickly countered back, opening up a 62-56 lead, forcing Goz to call for time. Off the timeout, Munger hit a big three pointer to keep the Caps within range. Shyla Heal and Z traded baskets, before a Alex Sharp – playing her 100th WNBL game – hit a wing triple to restore the Venom’s six point lead, 69-63. Z would continue her dominant fourth quarter with another layup before Sara and Isa connected once again on a fastbreak to bring the Caps within 2. The Caps had a chance to grab the lead after forcing a Jaz Shelley miss, but Isa failed to convert her corner three. Mackenzie Holmes countered with a top of the key three-ball of her own and after a Caps turnover Shyla Heal hit two free throws to give the Venom a 74-67 lead with 90 seconds left.

With the Caps barely hanging on, Z came up big once again, getting fouled grabbing the offensive rebound off a miss from Kadi and split her free throws. The Caps forced another stop and this time it was Kadi keeping the Caps alive, grabbing an offensive rebound and kicking it out to Jade for a big triple to get the Caps to within 3, 74-71 with 44 seconds left.

The Caps would get another stop, and Z came through once again, converting a layup with 13 seconds left off a Jade assist. After Shyla Heal split her free throws, the Caps drew up a play to get Z the ball in the high post. As she surveyed her options, she found Munger open for three from the left wing for arguably the biggest shot of the Caps season to date, and Munger did as Munger does, swishing it with 2.1 seconds left. The Caps held tight on the Venom’s final inbound play, escaping Geelong with a much-need 76-75 win.

FINAL

UC Capitals 76
Geelong Venom 75

Key performers

UC Caps
Zitina Aokuso 18pts, 14rebs, 3asts, 2sls
Jade Melbourne 16pts, 3rebs, 5asts, 1stl
Sara Blicavs 15pts, 7rebs, 3asts, 4stls

Geelong Venom
Jaz Shelley 23pts, 4rebs, 2asts, 4stls, 3blks
Mackenzie Holmes 15pts, 13rebs

BOX SCORE

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