IT was a big weekend of Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) action with Melbourne Boomers and Southside Flyers remaining undefeated, the reigning premiers going down in both games, and a bit of scoring controversy to finish the round.

Melbourne Boomers (107) defeated UC Capitals (72)

In arguably the most dazzling team performances of the year, Melbourne Boomers completely dismantled reigning premiers, University of Canberra (UC) Capitals in Geelong with a four quarter performance on their way to a 35-point victory. The Boomers raced away to a 13-point lead at quarter time, and were up by 25 at the main break. The Capitals managed to even it out in the third term to only concede an extra goal towards the deficit, before the home side again took control with a dominant 31-22 final term to run away 107-72 winners. Lindsay Allen was the top points scorer with 23, as well as five rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Cayla George was best on court with an amazing 18 points (80 per cent efficiency from the field), 12 rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Madeleine Garrick (16 points, five rebounds and four assists), Ezi Magbegor (12 points, four rebounds) and Monique Conti (16 points, two assists) were also busy on the night. It was a disappointing night for the Capitals, with Kelsey Griffin restricted to 12 points, but was strong defensively with 10 rebounds and four steals, while Kia Nurse had just 13 points, two rebounds and one assist. Keely Froling was steady however, putting up 14 points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal on the night.

DC Medal: 3 – Cayla George (MB), 2 – Lindsay Allen (MB), 1 – Madeleine Garrick (MB)

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Southside Flyers (85) defeated Bendigo Spirit (77)

Southside Flyers maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a tight eight-point win over Bendigo Spirit. Wining the first three quarters, the Flyers led by four, 15 and 18 points at the breaks, before Bendigo charged home to try and steal an unlikely win. Unfortunately for the visitors, they could only manage to cut into the deficit by 10 points, 26-16, to go down, 77-85. Sara Blicavs was dominant on the point-scoring side of things with 23 points, two rebounds and two steals, while Mercedes Russell was the star off the boards courtesy of a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Rebecca Cole (16 points, six rebounds and three assists) and Leilani Mitchell (13 points, five rebounds and seven assists) continued their terrific form in season 2019/20 with great contributions. For the Spirit, Marte Grays was the standout player on the court, sinking 22 points and nine rebounds, while Tessa Lavey got around to try and inspire her team with 17 points, four rebounds and seven assists, and Gabrielle Richards posted 14 points and had five rebounds in the loss.

DC Medal: 3 – Mercedes Russell (SF), 2 – Leilani Mitchell (SF), Sara Blicavs (SF)

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Perth Lynx (86) defeated by Adelaide Lightning (90)

Adelaide’s upset win on the road against Perth Lynx broke the drought of one-sided games to start the round, with the Lightning taking until overtime to get past the Lynx. Last year’s grand finalists showed they will be a contender once again, trailing by a point at quarter time only to hit the front by two at the main break. Perth took control in the third to open up a six-point advantage, before a 19-13 final term saw the Lightning draw level at the final buzzer. Overtime had to separate the sides, with the Lightning continuing their last quarter momentum to post 11-7 and run out 90-86 winners. Brianna Turner put in a terrific performance for the Lightning, sinking 26 points at 64.7 per cent efficiency, while racking up 17 rebounds – 13 defensive – two assists, two blocks and one steal. Lauren Nicholson also had plenty of points with 21, as well as four assists and three rebounds, but did not pick up a double-double. Along with Turner, Nicole Seekamp (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Stephanie Talbot (12 points, 10 rebounds and three steals) did however, making it three double-doubles from the one team. Her side might have lost, but Katie-Rae Ebzery produced one of the performances of the season with 22 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists to almost haul her side across the line. Lauren Mansfield was also impressive with 14 points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals, while Nadeen Payne posted 22 points and six rebounds.

DC Medal: 3 – Katie-Rae Ebzery (PL), 2 – Brianna Turner (AL), 1 – Stephanie Talbot (AL)

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Sydney Uni Flames (81) defeated UC Capitals (75)

It is not too often the reigning wooden spooners can upset the reigning premiers so early in a season, but that is what happened when the Flames got up over the Capitals in a six-point upset win. The sides had very different starts to the season, but a stunning opening term of 30-12 saw the home side get the Brydens Stadium crowd up and about. The Capitals hit back after that to cut the deficit to 10 by half-time, and managed to get it back within single digits by the final buzzer, but the slow start was too great to overcome. Alice Kunek (24 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block) and Tahlia Tupaea (23 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block) were the dominant scorers, while Alex Wilson sank 18 points, one rebound, three assists and two steals. Lauren Scherf provided an influence off the boards with 10 rebounds to accompany her four points, while Colleen Planeta managed eight rebounds with six points. For the losers, Nurse bounced back from her quiet game earlier in the weekend to post 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal, while Froling was again the dominant player with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal. Griffin also had a bigger influence in the contest in the Capitals’ second game of the weekend, sinking 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

DC Medal: 3 – Tahlia Tupaea (SU), 2 – Alice Kunek (SU), 1 – Keely Froling (UC)

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Townsville Fire (71) defeated Melbourne Boomers (80)

Confusion might have sent social media into overdrive over the final scores, but luckily it was the Boomers who had enough of a buffer for a Lindsay Allen triple (which was counted twice on the live stats), to not have the final result altered. The Boomers got out to a one-point lead to start the game, then extended it to 12 by half-time. Townsville hit back with an 18-9 third term which meant it was game on, until a strong final term which saw the Boomers pile on 23-18 and run out, 80-71 victors. Even though the final scores read 83-71 online – fans watching the game had noticed the error and indeed the official WNBL Twitter account confirmed that the Boomers had won 80-71, with Allen having the 25 – not 28 points. Along with her 25 points, Allen had five assists and two rebounds to be the dominant shooter on the court. George (10 points, seven rebounds and one steal) and Magbegor (13 points, six rebounds, one assist and two blocks) were also busy off the boards, while Garrick put up 11 points to accompany her three assists and three steals. For the Fire, it was Abby Bishop who topped the points column with 20, as well as six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Tess Madgen (18 points, six rebounds and four assists) was prominent, Bridget Carleton (12 points, five rebounds) was busy off the boards and Darcee Garbin (10 points, six rebounds and five steals) was a pick-pocket. Overall the result meant the Boomers joined their Victorian counterparts the Flyers at the top of the table, while the Fire remained anchored to the bottom as the only winless side.

DC Medal: 3 – Lindsay Allen (MB), 2 – Abby Bishop (TF), 1 – Tess Madgen (TF)

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DC Medal Leaderboard:

8 – Cayla George (MB), Lindsay Allen (MB),
7 – Alison Schwagmeyer (PL), Leilani Mitchell (SF)
6 – Jenna O’Hea (SF), Kelsey Griffin (UC)
5 – Mercedes Russell (SF), Brianna Turner (AL)
4 – Colleen Planeta (AD), Imani McGee-Stafford (PL)
3 – Carley Ernst (BS), Abby Bishop (TF), Katie-Rae Ebzery (PL), Stephanie Talbot (AL), Tahlia Tupaea (SU)
2 – Crystal Langhorne (AD), Kia Nurse (UC), Olivia Epoupa (UC), Kelly Wilson (BS), Madeleine Garrick (MB), Alice Kunek (SU)
1 – Chelsea Brook (AD), Bridget Carleton (TF), Lauren Nicholson (AL), Sophie Cunningham (MB), Jessica Kuster (SU), Nicole Seekamp (AL), Tess Madgen (TF), Sara Blicavs (SF), Keely Froling (UC)