The UC Capitals are back in Canberra to take on the Southside Flyers Wednesday 4th of December at the AIS Arena, in what is set to be a deciding factor heading to the mid-point of the 2024/2025 WNBL season.
Capitals had their work cut out for them these past two weeks, taking on Victorian based teams down south. After very little time to recuperate between these games the Capitals where thrusted into Bendigo to face the red-hot Spirit at Home, going down 78-98.
The Capitals headed into the game off the back of a two-game win streak. But that confidence was quickly dispersed, with the No.1 in the WNBL taking UC head on to pile a massive 35 points in the 1st quarter alone. Despite UC best efforts from Nyadiew Puoch (16pts,6reb,2ast) and Monique Bobongie (10pts,4reb,4ast) the Bendigo Spirts lock up defence showed no weakness as UC was unable to keep up.
Captain Jade Melbourne (5pts,10reb,8ast) was limited in her offensive power, forced to utilise Collier and Bowyer to get around some of Bendigo court control. But it was ultimately no match as the Sprit created a 3-point roll to catch UC out to close the game.
On the opposing side the Southside Flyers have just come off a narrow loss to the Perth Lynx 82-89. With one less game played then the Capitals this season and weeklong break between their last hit-out, the Flyers are coming into Wednesday’s competition the fresher team.
Southside’s Naz Hillmon (20pts,13reb,5ast) gave UC trouble in their last hit-out in round three, and with her now leading Offensive rebounds at 4.0, Average steals of 2.5 and Average Points of 19.7 the Capitals have to keep her quite to gain the upper-hand. Bec Cole (22pts,7reb,3ast) and Maddi Rocci (19pts,4reb,1ast) have found their form at the mid-season turning point, resulting in the Southside Flyers coming Wednesday with some momentum.
However, the Flyers have had to test their roster depth with Carley Ernst (back injury) and Opals representative Alice Kunek (calf soreness) unable to take the court against Perth.
Both teams are coming into this game sitting on 2-wins, and with the result polling a middle of the table position, it’s all systems go. The offensive powerhouse’s that UC and Southside have in their arsenal in conjunction with their well-known defensive prowess, its set to be a match up that is set for another Canberra classic.
The UC Capitals will be taking on the Southside Flyers at the AIS Arena on Wednesday the 4th of December at the AIS Arena. Get your tickets here.
