Let’s take a quick look at what happened in Round 4, team by team.
Adelaide Lightning
Adelaide had a tough old time when they visited Bendigo Stadium. Only Nia Coffey managed to make it into double figures on the score board with 13 points and 4 rebounds in the 18 point loss.
Lauren Nicholson and Steph Blicavs had 8 points each and Nicole Seekamp had one of the few highlight moments for the night, as her quarterback pass released Colleen Planeta for the lay in and gave the Lightning fans something to get excited about.
The Lightning will look to strike back when they host the Dandenong Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Bendigo Spirit
In the Spirit’s first match for the round, Nat Hurst celebrated her 250th game with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists against the Lightning.
The second leg of the Spirit’s double header was against the Melbourne Boomers in their Cup eve showdown, and they shook off some early jitters to win the close encounter.
“It’s all about trust,” Hurst said, describing the win.
“We trust each other so much, whether we’re pointing points on the board or not, we just trust each other. I think that’s what got it done.”
“To hold Melbourne to 58 points, we’re pretty proud of that effort.”
Cleveland import Barbara Turner is finding her rhythm with the team and was unashamedly effusive in her praise for their captain.
“I’m gonna be biased a little bit, but she’s the best leader on the court for us,” Turner said.
The Spirit will host the Sydney Uni Flames Sunday afternoon.
Melbourne Boomers
The Boomers came away from round three with the Michele Timms Cup in an away win against the Dandenong Rangers, but suffered a gut wrenching loss in front of a bumper home crowd to the Spirit.
Maddy Garrick stepped up her for her first start this season in the win with 18 points and 7 rebounds before coming off late suffering spasms in her left wrist and arm.
Steph Talbot was the talking point of the game, scoring 19 points up to half time. The Rangers were able to tighten up on her in the back half, but then Lindsay Allen stepped up to finish Talbot’s early good work, and the Timms cup was staying at the SBC.
On Monday evening the Spirit visited the Boomers for a Cup eve clash that promised a Nat Hurst v Lindsay Allan showdown. The Boomers got away early but were never able to stretch the lead and the Spirit always found a way to claw their way back into the contest.
Kalani Purcell came into the Boomers rotation for the injured Maddy Garrick and lit the crowd up with some high-flying intercepts and spectacular passing.
“Usually I don’t hear the crowd but that time it was so loud I couldn’t help but notice,” Purcell said. “It kind of fired me up to do more and it got us on a bit of a run at that point.”
“Despite the outcome of the game it was really fun and exciting for us and it was an opportunity for us younger players to step up with Maddy out injured.”
The Boomers will kick off round 5 when they host the Sydney Uni Flames on Thursday night.
Dandenong Rangers
The Rangers went into the game against the Boomers with Rachel Jarry back from injury and looking to take home the Michel Timms Cup.
Bec Cole (19 points) lead the way early as their on court general, getting good support from centre Kayla Pederson, Tessa Lavey and Betnijah Laney.
Jarry settled into the swing of things and finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds in her comeback game, but was unable to help the Rangers get the win that they desperately wanted.
The Rangers will travel to Adelaide to take on the Lightning on Saturday evening.
Perth Lynx
The Lynx started off their road trip with a 78-62 over the luckless Sydney Uni Flames. Katie Ebzery top-scored with 22 points and 6 rebounds, while Asia Taylor and Alison Schwagmeyer had 13 points a piece in the win.
Against the Townsville Fire, Britt McPhee stepped up with a double-double, dropping 20 points and 10 rebounds. Asia Taylor was again at her damaging best with an 18 point game. Taylor is now averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds a game so far this season.
The Lynx this week host the University of Canberra Capitals in the Saturday afternoon game.
Sydney Uni Flames
Inspirational captain Belinda Snell returned for the Flames playing 35 minutes and scoring 14 points but it wasn’t enough to get the win. Ally Wilson (16 points) and Alex Bunton (11 points, 8 rebounds) did their part but the team ultimately fell short.
The Flames then headed to Canberra to take on the Capitals, but again fell short going down 84 – 79 in another hard fought contest. Ally Wilson logged 40 minutes for the game, and MVP contender Alex Bunton went for a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Flames take on the Boomers on Thursday night, before heading to Bendigo to play the Spirit on Sunday afternoon.
University of Canberra Capitals
The Capitals took on the Sydney Uni Flames and came away with a 84 – 79 win. Five different players reached double figures the Capitals spread the offensive load evenly.
MVP contender Kelsey Griffen continues to post great numbers this season with 15 points and 13 rebounds against the Flames. Kelly Wilson (17 points) and import Kia Nurse (16 points, rebounds) also contributed strongly in the win that keeps the Capitals in second place on the ladder.
The Capitals will travel to Perth to take on the ladder leaders on Saturday afternoon.