SEARCHING to continue their competitiveness against the top sides and give it their all in the second half of the season, the UC Capitals kicked off 2024 in style, defeating the Southside Flyers by 10 points at the State Basketball Centre.

The win came from big plays at different stages of the game from Jade Melbourne, Alex Sharp, Nicole Munger and Gemma Potter. The Caps came up with some clutch defensive plays, helping the side to a 75-65 victory.

With the Flyers controlling the opening term taking a six-point lead, the Capitals fought back in the second quarter, 16 points to 14, though the Flyers maintained a four-point advantage at the main break. 

The Capitals lifted their defensive pressure after half-time, winning the third quarter 21-14, driving to the basket and sharing the ball through patience, winning the rebound count, 32-28, and the bench stepped up, scoring 18-11. 

The Capitals won the last quarter, 24-17, winning crucial ball back as the Flyers went on a mini-scoring run, finishing ahead in the steal category overall, 12-7. In doing so,the Caps forced the Flyers to take tough, rushed shots from three point range, limiting the Flyers to three from 15 at 20 per cent. The Flyers had score contributions from Maddison Rocci Rebecca Cole and Lauren Jackson, but it was the fast break points that was the difference down the stretch. 

The winners finished the game shooting 20 from 27 at 74 per cent from free throw, compared to the Flyers’ 14 from 23 at 60 per cent. Both teams were relatively even from the field and two-point range.

Melbourne and Sharp both notched up 17 points, while Munger had 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Potter brought punch and energy off the bench, finishing with 14 points, three rebounds and five steals. 

For the Flyers, Jackson shot six from 11 from the field, five from eight from two point range, and finished with 16 points, while Rocci (14 points including four from eight from two-point range) and Cole (12 points including four from nine from two-point range) also chipped in.

The Capitals have a double header in Round 11, playing the Perth Lynx at home on January 11 and the Bendigo Spirit away on January 14. 

The Flyers have a single game in Round 11, playing the Sydney Flames at home on January 12.