AFTER a disappointing loss last weekend, the Perth Lynx have gotten themselves back on the winners’ list after downing the UC Capitals to the tune of 14 points at National Convention Centre Canberra on Wednesday night.

The result was secured thanks to a towering performance from Lynx skipper Sami Whitcomb, who produced a huge second half to drag her side over the line after the Capitals’ blistering start to the match.

Whitcomb went head to head with Jade Melbourne, who looked to be getting better of the Perth captain in the first half. However, it was the former that lifted in the final two quarters of play as her side stormed home to move to three wins and five losses on the season.

UC Capitals (83) def. by Perth Lynx (97)

Sami Whitcomb – 26 points, six rebounds seven assists

Whitcomb put in a captain’s performance against the Capitals, putting the team on her back in the second half to secure a much-needed win.

In the first half, Melbourne was the best player on the court, registering a game-high points total by the time the main break rolled around. Whitcomb and her side trailed by three points heading into the second half.

The Lynx skipper caught fire in the final two terms, doing her best work inside the arc as the Lynx slowly but surely took the lead. From either mid-range or inside the paint, she was able to punish the opposition’s ineffective defence and went 8/10 from two-point territory.

Her 26 points were the most of anyone on the court, outshining Melbourne in the second half and playing a crucial role in sealing the game in the last 10 minutes of play.

Although it was not her most accurate performance from behind the arc – going just 2/10 from three-point territory – Whitcomb was still Perth’s most consistent avenue to scoring. Whitcomb’s second three-pointer of the match came at a crucial time with the game still on the line, as her triple put Perth up by seven to essentially nail the door shut.

She also chimed in with six boards and seven dimes, with the latter proving vital in the context of the game. She was drawing double teams by the fourth quarter given how strong she was performing offensively, and made the right passes to the likes of Chloe Bibby, who benefitted from this decision-making.

It was a true skipper’s showing, with Whitcomb grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and putting Perth on her back with a season-best offensive showing.