Townsville catch fire late to edge past Capitals
Justin Chadwick |
Townsville have received a timely wake-up call ahead of their top-of-the-table battle against the Perth Lynx after coming from behind for a 78-69 WNBL win over the UC Capitals at HoopsFest.
The Fire trailed by three points late in the third quarter and were still down by two points with five minutes remaining as the Capitals threatened to pull off a major upset at Perth’s RAC Arena on Sunday.
But consecutive long bombs from Courtney Woods and Lucy Olsen helped turn the tide Townsville’s way, with the Fire going on an 11-0 run to seal victory.
Canberra didn’t score in the final five minutes of the match, and were restricted to just five points in the last quarter.
But overall it was a much-improved performance from the last time they met Townsville – a 40-point loss on November 22.
The Fire sit on top of the ladder with a 15-4 record and a percentage of 118.82.
The second-placed Lynx (14-4, 110.63 per cent) and third-placed Bendigo Spirit (13-4, 110.40 per cent) are nipping at Townsville’s heels in what has become a three-horse race for first spot.
Townsville’s clash with the Lynx in Perth on Tuesday night will have an important say in who finishes first, with the Fire’s superior percentage putting them in the box seat.
And in an added bonus for WNBL fans, Townsville host Bendigo in their final game of the regular season on February 8.
The Capitals would have moved level with the fourth-placed Southside Melbourne Flyers (8-9) with a win on Sunday, but the loss leaves them in fifth with a 7-10 record.
Woods led the way for the Fire with 20 points, 10 assists and four steals, while Alicia Froling added 14 points.
“I’m proud of them,” Townsville coach Shannon Seebohm said.
“To hold them to five points in the last quarter and one offensive rebound was really good.”
For the Capitals, Zitina Aokuso (11 points, 12 rebounds) produced a strong game, while Kadiatou Sissoko top-scored for her team with 15 points.
Townsville entered the halftime break with a 39-36 edge, and no doubt with plenty of nerves knowing that just two weeks ago the Capitals were able to upset the Lynx in a 77-74 boilover.
The Fire’s seven-point lead midway through the third quarter was quickly wiped away as the Capitals shot out to a three-point lead late in the term.
But the Capitals, missing star duo Sara Bilcavs and Jade Melbourne, went stone cold in the last quarter as Townsville’s experience shone through.
“To be honest, we’re not here for moral victories,” Capitals coach Paul Goriss said.
“You want to win. While (we) might walk away feeling good about being close, close still isn’t good enough. It’s still an ‘L’ in the loss column.
“But a lot of positives for us to like take on board, especially without Sara and Jade.”
AAP
