PERTH Lynx were able to knock off the University of Canberra (UC) Capitals in a battle of the two sides who had notched up consecutive wins leading up. In a tight contest at Bendat Basketball Centre, it was a game that had a game of scoring momentum runs and defensive plays, with the Lynx having multiple contribution plays down the stretch to claim a 98-90 victory.

It was the Capitals that came out of the blocks in the first quarter, forcing the Lynx to zone, playing tempo on their terms and forcing the Lynx to take tough perimeter shots, crashing the rebound category early, 17-9.

With the injury to Aari McDonald at the end of the first quarter, the Lynx started the second quarter strongly, winning the second quarter, 27-19. The Lynx went inside to the paint to Emily Potter, slowing down the run the Caps had in the first quarter and going into a zone to force the Capitals into unforced errors, with the Caps maintaining a four-point lead at half-time. 

Alex Fowler was a playmaker on both ends of the floor, aggressive to the basket and nailing some tough shots around the perimeter, finishing the half with 13 points. 

For the Lynx, Potter stepped up in the second quarter, making the post of the mid match inside the paint, making some tough baskets and key rebounds defensively, finishing the half with 14 points, four rebounds, whilst Anneli Maley lifted her energy from the defensive end, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Whilst shooting percentages were even from the field, 17/37 at 46 per cent to the Lynx, compared to the Capitals, 20/42 at 48 per cent, the Capitals limited the Lynx three point range, with the Capitals shooting at 31 per cent, 4/13, compared to the Lynx 2/11 at 18 per cent. 

The Lynx won the third quarter, 33-24, winning the offensive rebounds, 8-1, finding multiple options around the perimeter and forcing the Caps into tough late shots later on the shot clock, with Amy Atwell on song from the three-point range, shooting seven from eight. 

The Lynx were able to continue the run from the third quarter into the last quarter, making the most of the second chance scoring and finding multiple contributors, with the likes of Alex Ciabattoni making some tough three’s to secure the victory. 

Atwell finished the game with 36 points, five rebounds, three assists as Potter had 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and Maley recorded 17 points, 15 rebounds and two assists. 

Jade Melbourne finished as the top scorer for the Capitals registering 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Alex Sharp managed 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, sharing the load with Fowler (15 points, four rebounds and three assists) and Nicole Munger (11 points, four rebounds and one assist).