WNBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Canberra edges Geelong U. by one point

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most exciting game of round 8 in the WNBL took place in Geelong. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 6th ranked United (3-8) to fifth ranked Canberra Capitals (4-6) 76-75 on Sunday evening. Canberra looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds. The former international forward Sara Blicavs (188-1993) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. The former international guard Jazmin Shelley (165-2000, college: Nebraska) produced 23 points and 4 steals for the hosts. Canberra moved-up to fourth place. Geelong U. lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. They share it with Sydney. Canberra are looking forward to face Southside (#5) in Dandenong in the next round. Geelong U. will play on the road against Southside in Dandenong and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Perth. Third ranked Perth Lynx faced 4th ranked Southside Flyers. Host Perth Lynx (7-3) defeated guests from Dandenong (3-6) 98-81. The former international forward Anneli Maley (185-1998, college: TCU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 19 rebounds and 6 assists. Amy Atwell contributed with 32 points for the winners. The former international point guard Maddison Rocci (168-1998) replied with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for Southside. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Perth maintains third position with 7-3 record having just two points less than leader Townsville. Southside lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with six games lost. Perth will play against league's leader Townsville on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Southside will play against Geelong U. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Dandenong. Second ranked Bendigo Spirit faced 4th ranked Southside Flyers. Guests from Bendigo (9-2) defeated host Southside Flyers (3-6) 75-67. Worth to mention a great performance of Isobel Borlase who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Cayla George responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Bendigo Spirit have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 9-2 record having just one point less than leader Townsville. Southside lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with six games lost. Bendigo will meet Geelong U. (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Southside will play against Geelong U. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 8 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Geelong U. was crushed by Bendigo in a road game 93-58. Townsville smashed Sydney at home 93-60. Adelaide lost to Canberra on the opponent's court 71-76.
The best stats of 8th round was 15 points and 7 assists by Zitina Aokuso of Canberra.

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.

Bendigo - Geelong U. 93-58

There was no surprise when 6th ranked United (3-8) was crushed on the road by second ranked Bendigo Spirit (9-2) 93-58 on Friday. Bendigo outrebounded Geelong U. 46-34 including a 35-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Bendigo looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Kelsey Griffin (188-1987, college: Nebraska) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and international guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) who added 19 points and 4 assists during the contest. Four Bendigo Spirit players scored in double figures. American forward Mackenzie Holmes (190-2001, college: Indiana, agency: LBM Management) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds and point guard Lilly Rotunno (170-2004) scored 7 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Bendigo Spirit have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 9-2 record having just one point less than leader Townsville. Geelong U. lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the seventh place with eight games lost. They share the position with Sydney. Bendigo will meet Geelong U. (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Geelong U. will play against Southside in Dandenong and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bendigo: G.Kelsey 19+11reb+3ast, B.Isobel 19+4reb+4ast, M.McConnell 16+8reb+3ast, K.Rees 14+11reb, P.Olivia 10+3reb+1ast, G.Booth 9+5reb+1ast
Geelong U.: M.Holmes 22+13reb, J.Shelley 8+2reb+2ast, L.Rotunno 7+3reb+3ast, S.Heal 6+2reb+3ast, A.Sharp 5+6reb+2ast, C.Mackenzie 3+3reb

Perth - Southside 98-81

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Perth. Third ranked Perth Lynx faced 4th ranked Southside Flyers. Host Perth Lynx (7-3) defeated guests from Dandenong (3-6) 98-81. Perth players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. The former international forward Anneli Maley (185-1998, college: TCU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 19 rebounds and 6 assists. International guard Amy Atwell (183-1998, college: Hawaii) contributed with 32 points for the winners. Four Perth Lynx players scored in double figures. The former international point guard Maddison Rocci (168-1998) replied with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and international center Cayla George (193-1989) added 16 points and 15 rebounds in the effort for Southside. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Perth maintains third position with 7-3 record having just two points less than leader Townsville. Southside lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with six games lost. Perth will play against league's leader Townsville on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Southside will play against Geelong U. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Perth: A.Amy 32+3reb, C.Alex 21+4reb+5ast, H.Xu 19+3reb+1ast, M.Anneli 13+19reb+6ast, G.Stephanie 9+4reb+2ast, W.Alex 2+7ast
Southside: M.Rocci 24+8reb+8ast, C.George 16+15reb+2ast, P.Manuela 9+1reb, M.Marisa 7+3reb+1ast, N.Lok 7+4reb+1ast, I.Bourne 7+4reb

Townsville - Sydney 93-60

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Townsville Fire (9-1) smashed at home bottom-ranked Sydney Flames (3-8) 93-60 on Saturday. Townsville made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 22 Sydney turnovers. Townsville looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Townsville made 7 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 forward Alicia Froling (190-1996, college: SMU) who added 10 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. American forward Unique Thompson (190-1999, college: Auburn) responded with 6 points and 10 rebounds and international guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) scored 6 points and 11 rebounds. 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 Fire have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 9-1 record. Sydney at the other side dropped to the bottom place with eight games lost. They share the position with Geelong U.. Townsville will meet at home Perth (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sydney will play against Adelaide (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Townsville: S.Miela 26+1reb+3ast, A.Ellis 12+4reb+4ast, F.Alicia 10+9reb+2ast, F.Alexandra 9+5reb+2ast, W.Courtney 9+1reb+3ast, C.Lauren 8+10reb+1ast
Sydney: P.Carla 12+2reb+2ast, K.Froling 9+2reb+2ast, M.Isabelle 8+2reb, U.Thompson 6+10reb+3ast, E.Agnes 6+11reb+1ast, L.McSpadden 5+2reb

Geelong U. - Canberra 75-76

The most exciting game of round 8 in the WNBL took place in Geelong. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 6th ranked United (3-8) to fifth ranked Canberra Capitals (4-6) 76-75 on Sunday evening. Canberra looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Zitina Aokuso who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds. The former international forward Sara Blicavs (188-1993) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. The former international guard Jazmin Shelley (165-2000, college: Nebraska) produced 23 points and 4 steals and American forward Mackenzie Holmes (190-2001, college: Indiana, agency: LBM Management) added 15 points and 13 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Canberra moved-up to fourth place. Geelong U. lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. They share it with Sydney. Canberra are looking forward to face Southside (#5) in Dandenong in the next round. Geelong U. will play on the road against Southside in Dandenong and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Canberra: Z.Aokuso 18+14reb+3ast, M.Jade 16+3reb+5ast, B.Sara 15+7reb+3ast, N.Munger 9+5reb+1ast, S.Kadiatou 7+8reb+1ast, P.Nyadiew 5+1ast
Geelong U.: J.Shelley 23+4reb+2ast, S.Heal 17+1reb+5ast, M.Holmes 15+13reb, A.Ashley 6+3reb+2ast, A.Sharp 5+5reb+1ast, E.Brett 5+1reb+1ast

Southside - Bendigo 67-75

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Dandenong. Second ranked Bendigo Spirit faced 4th ranked Southside Flyers. Guests from Bendigo (9-2) defeated host Southside Flyers (3-6) 75-67. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and Megan McConnell who added 22 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. International center Cayla George (193-1989) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international point guard Maddison Rocci (168-1998) scored 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Bendigo Spirit have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 9-2 record having just one point less than leader Townsville. Southside lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with six games lost. Bendigo will meet Geelong U. (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Southside will play against Geelong U. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bendigo: M.McConnell 22+7reb, B.Isobel 20+8reb+5ast, G.Kelsey 15+8reb, W.Abigail 9+4reb+1ast, K.Rees 4+7reb+2ast, P.Olivia 3+2reb+2ast
Southside: M.Rocci 18+5reb+6ast, C.George 18+14reb+6ast, I.Bourne 10+4reb+1ast, T.Reed 9+5reb, M.Marisa 7+5reb+1ast, P.Manuela 3

Canberra - Adelaide 76-71

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Canberra Capitals and one of their biggest challengers Adelaide Lightning had identical 3-6 record. This time Canberra Capitals used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Adelaide 76-71 on Tuesday night. They outrebounded Adelaide 39-21 including a 28-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of Zitina Aokuso who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 7 assists and forward Nyadiew Puoch (190-2004) who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Canberra Capitals' coach Paul Goriss used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international forward Steph Talbot (188-1994) responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Dallas Loughridge (167-2004) scored 12 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Canberra (4-6) moved-up to fourth place. Adelaide lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Canberra will meet at home Southside (#5) in the next round. Adelaide will play against Sydney and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Canberra: P.Nyadiew 15+5reb, Z.Aokuso 15+4reb+7ast, M.Jade 11+4reb+3ast, N.Munger 10+6reb+2ast, S.Kadiatou 8+11reb, B.Sara 6+7reb+1ast
Adelaide: S.Talbot 16+5reb+4ast, S.Feagin 14, D.Loughridge 12+3reb+4ast, E.Bollmann 11+4reb+3ast, T.Brazel 9+3reb+4ast, E.Tofaeono 5+3reb+1ast