Post-Game Report February 17 v Adelaide Lightning
It was a disappointing loss for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers tonight who faced off against the Adelaide Lightning for the third time this season.
This matchup marked two out of three wins for the Lightning against the Boomers for the 2023/24 WNBL season, an amazing feat for seventh on the WNBL ladder.
The Melbourne Boomers initially had much to celebrate with the long-awaited return of guard Kristy Wallace, who had missed most of the season due to a knee injury.
Both teams having come off the FIBA break, with players on both sides pushing the Opals to qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, were well rested and ready for a defensive battle.
Keely Froling and Monique Conti started the match hot and fast, scoring early buckets in the first.
However, the Boomers were low on defensive efforts, leaving the Lightning open for 9 offensive boards and giving them more opportunities to score.
The first closed up 20-15 with the Lightning clutching buckets to put them in front going into the second.
The Lightning widened the margin in the second, making use of the Boomers’ shooting inaccuracies and missed opportunities.
Jordin Canada and Naz Hillmon, scoring a few layups in the second quarter, did their best to bring the Boomers’ up to speed but newly minted Opal Isobel Borlase claimed 3’s and layups to push the Lightning ahead.
The first half wrapped up with the Adelaide Lightning maintaining a steady lead, 42-33, the Boomers still left with plenty of time to catch them.
However, the third continue to set apart the two teams as the Boomers’ shooting was inconsistent and messy, habitually turning over the ball due to errors.
Borlase and her teammates continued to light up the 36ers Arena, raining 3’s and boards and maintaining a steady lead in the quarter.
Regardless, it was invigorating to see Kristy Wallace return to the court as a Boomers and give her all in the purple and yellow.
Wallace, who amassed 18 minutes and 25 seconds for her game back, was a supportive force on court but not even her efforts could put the Boomers in front.
The third ended in another 9 point lead for the Adelaide Lightning, 57-48, with the Boomers struggling to close the gap.
The fourth opened with Naz Hillmon on a roll, scoring 10 points in the quarter and 18 for the game, determined to finish on a high.
Shooting, unfortunately for the Boomers, did not get any better, with the team finishing up with a 31% shooting accuracy percentage.
The Adelaide Lightning ended strong in both their offensive and defensive practices, consistently besting the Boomers efforts and giving themselves a consistent lead.
Hillmon came close to closing the gap with two minutes to go but the win slipped away with Borlase clutching her free throws and defending the Boomers’ key.
The matchup finished in the Lightning’s favour, 70-61, and has left the Boomers with much to think about for next week’s game against the Capitals.
This matchup has popped the Melbourne Boomers down a peg on the WNBL ladder, now sitting fourth and the Adelaide Lightning remaining in seventh position.
This loss has put somewhat of a spanner in the Boomers’ clear path to finals, now fueling the fire to beat the UC Capitals on February 24 and cement a finals spot.
Catch the Deakin Melbourne Boomers at 2:30pm on 9Now to watch them face off against the Capitals at the National Convention Centre in Canberra!