When you could have an opportunity to place the Melbourne Boomers away, don’t blow it.
Adelaide Lightning discovered the arduous approach, streaking out to a 20-6 lead on the opening night time of the 2023-24 WNBL season earlier than the depleted guests wolfed them up in an exciting 68-60 victory.
With Opal Kristy Wallace (knee) and recruits Aimee Rocci (concussion) and Mon Conti (AFLW) out, the Boomers solely suited 9 gamers, together with improvement participant Lilly Rotunno and harm alternative Sherrie Calleia, coach Chris Lucas was proud as punch of his staff’s skill to combat again from a 14-point deficit and take out the win in enemy territory.
“Really pleased with our group but it wasn’t pretty basketball and we know we’re a long way off but we’ve got a lot of character in this group and they’ll keep fighting,” Lucas stated on the ESPN broadcast.
Despite gradual begins from star recruits Sara Blicavs and Keely Froling and highly-rated import Jordin Canada (0-6 within the first half) allowed the Lightning an early benefit. Adelaide imports Jocelyn Willoughby (a team-high 14 factors off the bench), Brianna Turner (15 rebounds, 8 assists) and captain Lauren Mansfield (9 factors, all within the first half) made probably the most of it.
Down 9 on the lengthy break, the Boomers dialled up the defence and Canada and Blicavs (12 factors) started to search out their groove.
But it was a robust Penina Davidson sort of night time, her energy overpowering the Lightning as she pounded in seven straight Boomers factors as a part of a 25-13 third quarter that flipped the script and gave the guests a three-point lead on the final change.
“She was terrific tonight … I’ve had her for three pre-seasons and this is clearly her best,” Lucas stated of his matchwinning workhorse.
With 4 minutes to go within the sport, rising Lightning star Izzy Borlase’s robust end wrenched the lead again however Blicavs, who had sat a lot of the final quarter with 4 fouls, splashed a 3, then Canada sliced and diced her approach to the cup with an athletic end and the Boomers have been on their approach.
Davidson completed with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench, whereas fellow Kiwi and good mate Tera Reid additionally had a double-double with 10-points and 10 boards in her Boomers debut.
Import Naz Hillmon stored Melbourne within the sport early, doing most of her team-high 14-point harm within the first half.
Canada, the LA Sparks WNBA starlet, started her WNBL profession with six factors and eight dimes and appeared extra snug as the sport went on, controlling proceedings late together with her handles and pinpoint passing.
The Boomers smashed the Lightning on the offensive glass, 21-10, resulting in 17 second-chance factors to 7 — the important thing distinction within the sport.
DEPLETED BOOMERS
The Boomers should discover a approach to navigate at the least the following month with out Wallace, who injured her knee in September whereas taking part in within the WNBA and was compelled to have surgical procedure.
During Indiana Fever’s September 4 conflict with Dallas Wings, Wallace rose for a free throw line jumper and instantly limped away on touchdown earlier than being helped to the locker-room in misery.
Wallace, an All WNBL First Teamer who averaged 15.8 factors (seventh) and 5.5 assists (fourth) final season, has twice torn her ACL in the identical knee and the Boomers will take an ultra-cautious method to her return.
“Wally, we’re just going to take our time until she’s right, It’s a big year for her,” Lucas stated.
Such is the fact of signing a dual-sport star, Conti, who’s among the many top-five probabilities for the AFLW greatest and fairest award, gained’t be obtainable for the Boomers till subsequent week after she completes her duties with Richmond, which takes on Collingwood on Sunday within the final spherical of the season.
Rocci was concussed in a coaching mishap throughout the week and has entered the league’s protocols. Her return date is unclear as she might want to go a number of checks to be handed match to play.
NICE PASS FOR THREE
Basketball’s a humorous sport. Lightning younger gun Isabelle Bourne got here up empty on all three of her three-point makes an attempt within the first half. Her first make from deep got here early within the third quarter — and he or she wasn’t even making an attempt. The 22-year-old caught the ball on the proper wing and tried to throw a lob go to Turner as she sprinted to the ring. Instead, the ball banked in for 3. It doesn’t say how you bought them on the field rating, simply that you just bought them.
COLOUR CLASH
Round 1 doubled as Indigenous Round for the WNBL, which has, for the primary time, partnered with the NBL in honouring First Nations individuals. But a late name needed to be made on the Boomers’ Indigenous jersey after a color conflict with the Lightning’s package was found. The uniforms solely arrived on Tuesday, the day earlier than the sport. The Boomers will put on their Indigenous themed threads towards Southside on Saturday and once more on December 3.
Originally printed as WNBL 2023-24: Melbourne Boomers combat again from large deficit to grab victory from Adelaide Lightning in season-opener
Source: www.news.com.au
