WNBL ladder leaders Townsville Fire prolonged their profitable streak in spherical seven whereas younger star Jade Melbourne led the UC Capitals to their first victory of the season – and paid a worth for it.
Melbourne (30 factors, 10 assists) and fellow co-captain Alex Sharp (12 factors, 13 rebounds) posted double-doubles to steer the Capitals to an 84-72 upset win over the Melbourne Boomers on Friday night time.
The drought-breaking end result ended a run of eight straight losses to begin the season and left emotional Caps coach Kristen Veal in tears on the ultimate buzzer.
And in a dramatic post-script, Melbourne was taken hospital after having considered one of her entrance tooth damaged in half in an enormous collision with Boomers guard Jordin Canada.
The 21-year-old Australian Opals guard underwent surgical procedure to restore the injury, whereas Canada was left nursing a sore head and required stitches.
The painful fall-out was value it for Melbourne, who made her WNBA debut with Seattle Storm this yr and is thought to be considered one of Australia’s brightest younger abilities.
Despite their breakthrough win, the Caps (1-8) stay final on the ladder.
Townsville (8-1) sit comfortably on the reverse finish after captain Sami Whitcomb guided the reigning champions to a formidable round-seven double with wins over play-off hopefuls Southside and Sydney.
Having suffered their solely defeat of the season up to now to Southside in spherical two, Townsville gained revenge with 105-77 trouncing of the Flyers on their residence flooring on Thursday night time.
Stephanie Reid (22 factors) and Whitcomb (21) shone because the Fire dominated the primary interval 31-15 and prolonged their lead by every interval.
The Flyers stemmed the stream throughout the ultimate quarter however the injury had been completed, regardless of American duo Mercedes Russell and Jasmine Dickey scoring 20 factors every.
Whitcomb (18 factors, seven rebounds) starred once more as Townsville backed up on the highway with a 70-48 thumping of Sydney on Saturday night time.
Mikaela Reuf (11 factors, 15 rebounds) posted a double-double and Courtney Woods (19, seven) additionally starred, whereas Lauren Nicholson (11 factors) was the one Flames scorer in double figures.
Townsville’s pair of victories prolonged their profitable streak to seven video games as they chase back-to-back titles.
Southside (6-3) recovered on Sunday with 91-81 in a victory away to the Bendigo Spirit behind 24 factors from Maddi Rocci and 22 from Bec Cole.
But the Boomers’ (6-3) week grew worse after their shock loss to the Capitals after they suffered a 68-59 residence defeat to the Adelaide Lightning on Sunday.
The Lightning (3-8) overpowered their hosts with a stifling 15-8 ultimate interval behind a double-double from Isobel Borlase (21 factors, 12 rebounds).
Their win over the Boomers got here after an 81-77 loss to Bendigo (3-6) in Geelong on Friday night time.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
