POST-GAME REPORT: FEBRUARY 24 V UC CAPITALS
It was a gripping match between the Deakin Melbourne Boomers and the Canberra Capitals this afternoon, with the Capitals hosting the Boomers at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.
With a sellout crowd for the Capitals hosting their Domestic Violence Awareness Round, 1745 fans witnessed a thrilling and evenly matched game between Canberra and Melbourne.
The game was neck and neck but the Boomers just managed to clinch a one point win with 2.7 seconds to go.
The match finished up with the Boomers taking the win, 74-75, and helping to cement a better position going into an anxiety riddled 24 hours that will determine the final WNBL ladder orientations.
Both teams and their players gave it their all the entire match but Naz Hillmon, in particularly, had a phenomenal game with 35 points scored and 8 rebounds, taking on the bulk of the Boomers’ score.
Hillmon has racked up 318 points in her first ever WNBL season and has consistently delivered buckets, shown in today’s efforts which made a huge impact on the game and the Boomers’ eventual success.
LA import Jordin Canada also had a heck of a game, scoring 22 points and 3 rebounds, demonstrating why she is worthy of the WNBL MVP Award that will be given out at the WNBL Awards night tomorrow, Sunday February 25.
Canada is also nominated for Fan MVP and Defensive Player, an incredible recognition for a first year WNBL player who has brought such experience and IQ to the 2023/24 WNBL season.
Kristy Wallace got her first points for the season and played effectively, particularly in defence, for 15.24 minutes and showing the fans that she is recovering nicely.
The team overall had a much better game than last week’s, with shooting in particularly, increasing the scoring accuracy percentage from 31% to 47%.
Things looked uncertain in the fourth with the teams flip flopping the lead but maintaining a close margin in the quarter.
Canberra had an amazing comeback and lead 74-73 but two late fouls on Jordin Canada in the last 10 seconds, by Jade Melbourne and Jayda Clark, allowed her to do her thing and clutch her free throws to cement the victory.
The 74-75 win has placed the Melbourne Boomers in a better position going forth into the next 24 hours which will determine the teams will play in the 2023/24 WNBL finals.
Anything can happen at this stage, with the Boomers having the possibility of finishing 3rd, 4th or 5th on the WNBL so only time will tell.