DESPITE a tough season, the UC Capitals came up with the goods against a disappointing Adelaide Lightning thanks to a stellar performance from import Charli Collier overnight. The 25-year-old American finished with a massive double-double of 25 points and 16 rebounds, going head-to-head with Adelaide’s Brianna Turner (12 points, 19 rebounds) in a battle for the ages.

However it was the Capitals who came up trumps in the end, breaking away in the last quarter after trailing by a point at the final change with a 23-11 fourth term to seal the 88-77 victory at Adelaide 36ers Arena.

UC Capitals entered the game off the back of five consecutive losses, including a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Lightning on December 15 at the same venue. More heartbreak loomed likely early when the home side raced to a six-point quarter time lead. However the Capitals managed to regain some momentum, put up 28 points to 21 and took a one-point lead into half-time.

The third quarter was a tight one, with the Lightning able to grab back the advantage, albeit by only a point thanks to a 23-21 quarter, but few could be prepared for the last 10 minutes. After conceding the first basket of the fourth term to trail by three points in the opening minute, the Capitals scored the next seven points – and 11 of the next 13 – to hold a six-point advantage.

The Lightning tried to fight back, but Collier and Jade Melbourne kept pressing, and soon the lead was out to double-digits with two minutes left on the clock. Isobel Borlase was doing all she could ofr the Lightning as she and Brooke Basham gave the home fans some home to cut the deficit back to eight points with 1:24 on the clock.

Moments later, Melbourne stabbed a dagger through their hearts with a layup then rebound off Stephanie Talbot‘s missed shot, finding Nicole Munger with the three-point bomb to ice the game. Borlase let off a consolation jump shot to cut the final margin to 11, but it mattered little in the end with UC Capitals enjoying an 88-77 victory.

Along with Collier’s outstanding 25-point and 16-rebound performance – that included 13 defensive boards – Melbourne had 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds to really organise the offence well. Munger (24 points, including six of 11 from long-range) had seven rebounds as well.

For the Lightning, Turner’s 12 points and 19 boards – 16 of them defensive – was key, but too much was left up to Bourne (29 points including six of nine from three-point range) and Borlase (25 points) to put up a winning score in defeat.

Both sides play a second match this weekend, with the Capitals hosting Geelong United at AIS Arena, while Adelaide Lightning head further west to HBF Stadium to take on the red-hot Perth Lynx. Both games tip-off tomorrow afternoon.