THE Southside Flyers have denied the UC Capitals their first win of the 2023/24 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season, claiming a 17-point win in Round 5.

The Flyers have started the season in solid form, competing for a top four spot over the first portion of the season, having collected a few impressive wins in the first four weeks. They came up against the winless Capitals on Saturday evening, looking to continue their rise up the rankings. Canberra was still seeking a maiden victory for the season, having come close on a couple of occasions. Making things even more interesting was the fact that superstar forward Lauren Jackson would miss through injury.

However, it did not make for much difference, with the Flyers having their way with the Capitals across all four quarters. Southside was more productive in a number of key areas, including free throw percentage (80-54), bench points (20-7), fast break points (12-4) and points from turnovers (22-9). The Flyers were simply a class above the Capitals, cruising home to an 81-64 triumph. It was Southside’s fourth win of the season, ensuring it remains in third spot on the ladder.

Although there may have been some bigger numbers posted, the performance of Rebecca Cole was vital in getting Southside to victory.

Southside Flyers (81) def. UC Capitals (64)

Bec Cole – 17 points, two rebounds, six assists, four steals

Cole was a presence on both ends of the court, helping the Flyers to an important win for their top four hopes.

The veteran shooting guard was one of the most crucial factors in the game, playing her role to perfection and chiming in wherever her side needed it most.

She was Southside’s second-highest scorer with 17 points, delivering an accurate shooting performance overall from the field. Cole nailed seven shots on 13 attempts from the field, and was a near-perfect 3/4 from behind the arc.

Cole has established herself as one of the most reliable three-point shooters in the league, and was as steady as ever against the Capitals. Canberra’s defence was unable to successfully close out on the shooting guard around the arc, and the 31-year-old made the opposition pay.

She was also effective as a playmaker, combining well with Mercedes Russell, who made the most of Cole’s pinpoint passing and top-scored with 21 points. The shooting guard found her frontcourt star in good spots and helped the team’s offence tick over.

Defensively, Cole was able to disrupt the defence with her ability to read the play and poke the ball free. As mentioned above, Southside excelled in points off turnovers, and Cole had the most steals of any Flyers player with four.

Cole delivered her best two-way performance of the season in the win over the Capitals, proving a seriously damaging weapon for the Flyers.