WNBL Round 4 (Regular Season): Perth lose to Townsville

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Perth Lynx (4-1) at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by Townsville Fire (4-1) 79-70. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Townsville made 10 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Miela Sowah (180-2000, college: Duke) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 7 rebounds and the former international swingman Courtney Woods (183-1997, college: NIU) who added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Anneli Maley (185-1998, college: TCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Townsville maintains first position with 4-1 record, which they share with Perth. Townsville is looking forward to face Adelaide (#4) at home in the next round. Perth will play against Bendigo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Bendigo. Third ranked Bendigo Spirit (3-1) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Canberra Capitals (1-4) 73-71 on Saturday evening. The winners were led by international guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) who scored that evening 25 points and Kelsey Griffin supported her with 11 points and 16 rebounds. Even 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international guard Jade Melbourne (178-2002, college: Arizona St.) did not help to save the game for Canberra. Bendigo Spirit have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains third position with 3-1 record behind leader Townsville. Canberra lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with four games lost. They share the position with Geelong U.. Bendigo will play against league's second-placed Perth on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Canberra will play against Sydney (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Perth between Perth Lynx and Southside Flyers. Third ranked Perth Lynx (4-1) got a very close home victory over 4th ranked Southside Flyers (2-2). Perth Lynx managed to escape with a 3-point win 79-76 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Southside Flyers. Anneli Maley fired a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Cayla George produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Southside Flyers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Perth keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Townsville. Southside at the other side keeps the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with Adelaide. Perth will meet at home Bendigo (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Southside will play against Geelong U. and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 4: Canberra lost to Sydney on the opponent's court 64-73. Bottom-ranked Geelong U. was outscored by Townsville in a home game 61-86. Sydney recorded a loss to Adelaide on the road 88-71.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.

Perth - Townsville 70-79

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Perth Lynx (4-1) at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by Townsville Fire (4-1) 79-70. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Townsville made 10 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Miela Sowah (180-2000, college: Duke) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 7 rebounds and the former international swingman Courtney Woods (183-1997, college: NIU) who added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Anneli Maley (185-1998, college: TCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks and American forward Brianna Turner (190-1996, college: Notre Dame) scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Townsville and four Perth players scored in double figures. Townsville maintains first position with 4-1 record, which they share with Perth. Townsville is looking forward to face Adelaide (#4) at home in the next round. Perth will play against Bendigo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Townsville: S.Miela 26+7reb+2ast, F.Alexandra 16+9reb+2ast, W.Courtney 12+6reb+9ast, C.Lauren 11+12reb, O.Lucy 10+1reb+3ast, F.Alicia 2+6reb+2ast
Perth: A.Maley 21+14reb+2ast, T.Graham 13+2ast, B.Turner 12+7reb+5ast, A.Wilson 10+3reb+3ast, S.Gorman 5+2reb+2ast, A.Atwell 5+3reb+2ast

Sydney - Canberra 73-64

Rather expected game when 7th ranked Canberra Capitals (1-4) were defeated on the road by fifth ranked Sydney Flames (2-4) 73-64 on Thursday. Sydney forced 27 Canberra turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sydney made 7 blocks. American forward Unique Thompson (190-1999, college: Auburn) fired 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Forward Shaneice Swain (185-2003) chipped in 19 points and 4 steals. The former international guard Jade Melbourne (178-2002, college: Arizona St.) produced 14 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals and the former international forward Sara Blicavs (188-1993) added 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Canberra Capitals' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Sydney went down to sixth position due to points difference. Canberra lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with four games lost. They share the position with Geelong U.. Sydney will meet Canberra (#7) on the road in the next round. Canberra will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sydney: T.Unique 19+9reb, S.Shaneice 19+2reb+1ast, N.Lauren 12+4reb+4ast, I.Morgan 9+2reb+1ast, A.Emma-Nnopu 7+5reb+2ast, M.Lara 5+1reb+1ast
Canberra: S.Blicavs 18+5reb+4ast, J.Melbourne 14+8reb+6ast, M.Teige 8+10reb, K.Sissoko 6+4reb, M.Nicole 5+3reb+1ast, M.Bobongie 5+1reb

Geelong U. - Townsville 61-86

Very predictable result in Geelong where first ranked Townsville Fire (4-1) smashed bottom-ranked United (1-4) 86-61 on Friday. Townsville shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 56.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Forward Alicia Froling (190-1996, college: SMU) fired a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. The former international guard Miela Sowah (180-2000, college: Duke) chipped in 20 points. Five Townsville Fire players scored in double figures. American forward Mackenzie Holmes (190-2001, college: Indiana, agency: LBM Management) produced 24 points and 8 rebounds and the former international guard Jazmin Shelley (165-2000, college: Nebraska) added 6 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Townsville maintains first position with 4-1 record, which they share with Perth. Geelong U. lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom place with four games lost. They share the position with Canberra. Townsville will meet at home Adelaide (#4) in the next round. Geelong U. will play against Southside (#5) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Townsville: S.Miela 20+3reb+2ast, O.Lucy 13+5reb+3ast, F.Alicia 11+13reb+1ast, A.Ellis 11+3reb+4ast, F.Alexandra 10+5reb+2ast, C.Lauren 10+7reb+4ast
Geelong U.: M.Holmes 24+8reb+1ast, G.Potter 12+5reb+2ast, A.Sharp 11+6reb, J.Shelley 6+5reb+8ast, L.Rotunno 4, E.Brett 2+4reb+3ast

Bendigo - Canberra 73-71

Important game to mention about took place in Bendigo. Third ranked Bendigo Spirit (3-1) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Canberra Capitals (1-4) 73-71 on Saturday evening. The winners were led by international guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) who scored that evening 25 points and the former international power forward Kelsey Griffin (188-1987, college: Nebraska) supported her with 11 points and 16 rebounds. Four Bendigo Spirit players scored in double figures. Even 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international guard Jade Melbourne (178-2002, college: Arizona St.) did not help to save the game for Canberra. French forward Kadiatou Sissoko (188-1999, college: USC) added 19 points for lost side. Bendigo Spirit have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains third position with 3-1 record behind leader Townsville. Canberra lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with four games lost. They share the position with Geelong U.. Bendigo will play against league's second-placed Perth on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Canberra will play against Sydney (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bendigo: B.Isobel 25+2reb+3ast, G.Kelsey 11+16reb, M.McConnell 10+7reb+2ast, T.Marianna 10+7reb+3ast, G.Booth 7+1reb, P.Olivia 6+4reb+4ast
Canberra: K.Sissoko 19+4reb+1ast, J.Melbourne 15+5reb+4ast, N.Puoch 10+4reb+1ast, M.Nicole 8+7reb+1ast, S.Blicavs 7+4reb+2ast, M.Teige 6+5reb+2ast

Adelaide - Sydney 88-71

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 5th ranked Sydney Flames (2-4) were defeated on the road by sixth ranked Adelaide Lightning (2-2) 88-71 on Sunday. It was a great shooting night for Adelaide especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.0 percentage. American forward Sania Feagin (190-2003, college: S.Carolina) fired 18 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. The other American import Serena Sundell (185-2003, college: Kansas St.) chipped in 20 points and 6 steals. Forward Shaneice Swain (185-2003) produced 16 points and 5 steals and the former international guard Lauren Nicholson (180-1993, college: SMC) added 14 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Adelaide moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Southside. Sydney at the other side dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. Adelaide will meet league's leader Townsville on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Sydney will play against Canberra (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: S.Serena 20+2reb+2ast, F.Sania 18+9reb+3ast, L.Dallas 14+2reb+6ast, T.Steph 10+5reb+1ast, B.Tayla 9+3reb, S.Robati 7+7reb+3ast
Sydney: S.Swain 16+2reb+1ast, L.Nicholson 14+1reb+3ast, K.Froling 12+5reb+1ast, L.McSpadden 11+3reb+1ast, U.Thompson 7+7reb+1ast, E.Agnes 6+5reb+1ast

Perth - Southside 79-76

A very close game took place in Perth between Perth Lynx and Southside Flyers. Third ranked Perth Lynx (4-1) got a very close home victory over 4th ranked Southside Flyers (2-2). Perth Lynx managed to escape with a 3-point win 79-76 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Southside Flyers. Perth made 24-of-31 free shots (77.4 percent) during the game, while Southside only scored eight points from the stripe. The former international forward Anneli Maley (185-1998, college: TCU) fired a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. The former international guard Alex Wilson (175-1994) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Perth Lynx players scored in double figures. International center Cayla George (193-1989) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international point guard Maddison Rocci (168-1998) added 15 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists respectively for lost side. Southside Flyers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Perth keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Townsville. Southside at the other side keeps the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with Adelaide. Perth will meet at home Bendigo (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Southside will play against Geelong U. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Perth: M.Anneli 22+13reb, A.Amy 16+2reb+1ast, W.Alex 14+11reb+4ast, M.Yemiyah 11+9reb+1ast, T.Brianna 9+8reb+3ast, C.Alex 5+4reb+2ast
Southside: I.Bourne 22+9reb, C.George 17+14reb+4ast, M.Rocci 15+9reb+10ast, H.Peters 8+6reb+1ast, T.Reed 3+2reb+2ast, H.Andrews 3+3reb+4ast