Melbourne have ensured Adelaide stay winless via three video games of the WNBL season after outlasting the Lightning 85-81 in a decent contest in Parkville.
On the afternoon the Boomers unveiled their championship banner in entrance of a sold-out residence crowd, the reigning title-holders had been pushed to the ultimate moments by a Lightning aspect backing up for his or her second sport in two days.
The scores had been tied at 68-68 with eight minutes left within the fourth time period earlier than Melbourne went on a 12-6 run to open a close to insurmountable hole with 90 seconds remaining.
Kristy Wallace (16 factors) hit a three-pointer with the clock winding down and the Boomers held on to win by 4 factors regardless of the guests’ valiant late surge.
Wallace was one among 4 gamers to complete in double figures for the Boomers, with Tiffany Mitchell tallying 23 factors, six rebounds and 7 assists, Mia Murray including 16 factors, and Cayla George totting up 16 factors, 11 rebounds and 5 assists to stuff the stat sheet.
All 4 made three-pointers as Melbourne hit 11 of their 17 makes an attempt from past the arc.
“It was a pretty tough Sunday battle with the Lightning, so credit to them – they just came off a pretty big road trip to Townsville,” Boomers captain George instructed the Nine Network.
“It was nice to get a win, we want to use this place as a fortress.”
Steph Talbot (23 factors) top-scored for Adelaide however the Lightning completed spherical two winless after additionally falling to Townsville on Friday.
In that sport, Talbot and Lauren Mansfield poured in 18 factors apiece however a 33 level, 10 rebound double-double from Tianna Hawkins stored the Fire undefeated in WNBL 23 with an 84-79 victory.
In spherical two’s earlier video games, Southside Flyers prevailed over Melbourne 67-57 at residence behind Kayla Thornton’s 15 level, 11 rebound double-double.
Southside had 11 steals and compelled 20 turnovers, with Rebecca Cole notching 14 factors and making two of her three makes an attempt from behind the arc while selecting the Boomers’ pockets on 4 events.
The Boomers received the rebound depend comfortably however solely had 9 second-chance factors as they cut up the spherical with one win and one loss.
In Bendigo, the Spirit maintained their undefeated begin to the season with a 77-57 win over Sydney Flames.
A 20-point displaying by Chloe Bibby, helped by 21 factors from Amy Atwell, gave the Perth Lynx a 97-62 win over Canberra Capitals.
