WNBL Round 9 (Regular Season): Perth defeat Townsville in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

An interesting game for Perth Lynx (8-3) which played road game in Townsville against second-best Townsville Fire (9-2). Third ranked Perth Lynx had an easy win 97-81. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Townsville Fire. They outrebounded Townsville 46-26 including a 29-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for Chinese center Xu Han (208-1999) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks. Guard Alex Ciabattoni (183-1994, college: Newman) contributed with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international swingman Courtney Woods (183-1997, college: NIU) answered with 15 points and 7 assists for Townsville. Townsville Fire's coach rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Perth Lynx have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 8-3 record having just three points less than leader Bendigo. Townsville at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. Perth are looking forward to face Adelaide (#5) on the road in the next round. Townsville will play against Sydney and is hoping to win this game.
The game in Geelong was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Bendigo Spirit (10-2) played at the court of 7th ranked United (3-10). Bendigo Spirit managed to secure a 6-point victory 77-71. International guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) stepped up and scored 29 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and Kelsey Griffin chipped in 10 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was the former international point guard Shyla Heal (167-2001, agency: LBM Management) with 26 points. Bendigo Spirit have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Geelong U. lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the bottom place with ten games lost. Bendigo will play against Southside (#6) in Dandenong in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Geelong U. will play on the road against Canberra and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Sydney was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Adelaide Lightning (4-7) played at the court of 7th ranked Sydney Flames (3-9). Adelaide Lightning did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 94-75 on Sunday. Sania Feagin nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Lauren Nicholson came up with 23 points and 4 assists for Sydney in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Adelaide maintains fifth place with 4-7 record, which they share with Southside. Sydney lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with nine games lost. Adelaide will meet at home higher ranked Perth (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sydney will play against the league's second-placed Townsville (#2) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 9 Southside was smashed by Canberra on the road 97-71. Southside destroyed Geelong U. on its own court 86-58.
The most impressive performance of 9th round was 24 points and 16 rebounds by Cayla George of Southside.

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.

Canberra - Southside 97-71

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Canberra Capitals and 6th ranked Southside Flyers had identical 4-6 record. This time Canberra Capitals used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Dandenong 97-71 on Friday night. Canberra looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Zitina Aokuso nailed 22 points and 6 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winning side and the former international guard Jade Melbourne (178-2002, college: Arizona St.) accounted for 10 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists. The former international point guard Maddison Rocci (168-1998) came up with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international forward Isabelle Bourne (188-2000, college: Nebraska) added 11 points respectively for Southside in the defeat. Five Canberra and four Southside players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Canberra Capitals. They maintain fourth place with 5-6 record. Southside lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Adelaide. Canberra will meet at home bottom-ranked Geelong U. (#8) in the next round. Southside will play against the league's leader Bendigo and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Canberra: B.Sara 22+4reb, Z.Aokuso 22+6reb+3ast, J.Clark 12+4reb+4ast, N.Munger 12+2reb, M.Jade 10+5reb+11ast, P.Nyadiew 9+2reb+1ast
Southside: M.Rocci 24+8reb+8ast, C.George 11+4reb+1ast, I.Bourne 11+3reb+3ast, T.Reed 10+4reb+1ast, M.Marisa 5+1reb+3ast, P.Manuela 3+1reb

Geelong U. - Bendigo 71-77

The game in Geelong was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Bendigo Spirit (10-2) played at the court of 7th ranked United (3-10). Bendigo Spirit managed to secure a 6-point victory 77-71. Bendigo outrebounded Geelong U. 40-26 including a 36-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. International guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) stepped up and scored 29 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and the former international power forward Kelsey Griffin (188-1987, college: Nebraska) chipped in 10 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was the former international point guard Shyla Heal (167-2001, agency: LBM Management) with 26 points and the former international guard Jazmin Shelley (165-2000, college: Nebraska) scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Bendigo Spirit have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Geelong U. lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the bottom place with ten games lost. Bendigo will play against Southside (#6) in Dandenong in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Geelong U. will play on the road against Canberra and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bendigo: B.Isobel 29+8reb+2ast, M.McConnell 13+6reb+5ast, W.Abigail 12+4reb+4ast, G.Kelsey 10+11reb+4ast, P.Olivia 7+5reb+3ast, G.Booth 3+1reb
Geelong U.: S.Heal 26+3reb+3ast, M.Holmes 15+2reb+1ast, J.Shelley 14+5reb+4ast, A.Sharp 12+9reb, L.Rotunno 2+1ast, W.Georgia 2+2reb+1ast

Sydney - Adelaide 75-94

The game in Sydney was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Adelaide Lightning (4-7) played at the court of 7th ranked Sydney Flames (3-9). Adelaide Lightning did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 94-75 on Sunday. Adelaide made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American forward Sania Feagin (190-2003, college: S.Carolina) nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and the former international forward Steph Talbot (188-1994) accounted for 17 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Adelaide Lightning players scored in double figures. The former international guard Lauren Nicholson (180-1993, college: SMC) came up with 23 points and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and forward Shaneice Swain (185-2003) added 14 points respectively for Sydney in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Adelaide maintains fifth place with 4-7 record, which they share with Southside. Sydney lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with nine games lost. Adelaide will meet at home higher ranked Perth (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sydney will play against the league's second-placed Townsville (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: L.Dallas 23+3reb+4ast, F.Sania 23+10reb+5ast, T.Steph 17+11reb+7ast, B.Erin 13+2reb+2ast, A.Strawbridge 5+1ast, T.Ella 3+2reb+1ast
Sydney: L.Nicholson 23+4ast, S.Swain 14+3reb+2ast, U.Thompson 13+5reb, K.Froling 6+8reb+2ast, L.McSpadden 6+6reb, P.Carla 4+1ast

Townsville - Perth 81-97

An interesting game for Perth Lynx (8-3) which played road game in Townsville against second-best Townsville Fire (9-2). Third ranked Perth Lynx had an easy win 97-81. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Townsville Fire. They outrebounded Townsville 46-26 including a 29-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for Chinese center Xu Han (208-1999) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks. Guard Alex Ciabattoni (183-1994, college: Newman) contributed with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international swingman Courtney Woods (183-1997, college: NIU) answered with 15 points and 7 assists and the former international forward Alexandra Fowler (180-2001, college: Portland) added 17 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Townsville. Five Perth and four Townsville players scored in double figures. Townsville Fire's coach rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Perth Lynx have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 8-3 record having just three points less than leader Bendigo. Townsville at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. Perth are looking forward to face Adelaide (#5) on the road in the next round. Townsville will play against Sydney and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Perth: H.Xu 28+13reb+1ast, C.Alex 21+5reb+5ast, W.Alex 19+5reb+5ast, A.Amy 13+3reb+3ast, M.Anneli 11+15reb+3ast, K.Waite 5+2reb
Townsville: A.Fowler 17+7reb+1ast, M.Sowah 17+2reb+1ast, C.Woods 15+4reb+7ast, A.Froling 10+6reb+1ast, E.Abbey 8+2reb+9ast, L.Cox 6+4reb+1ast

Southside - Geelong U. 86-58

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked United's (3-10) road loss to sixth ranked Southside Flyers (4-7) in Dandenong 58-86 on Tuesday. Southside dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to United's 26. Southside outrebounded Geelong U. 42-28 including a 35-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Southside looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Geelong U.'s players. International center Cayla George (193-1989) nailed a double-double by scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds for the winning side and the former international point guard Maddison Rocci (168-1998) accounted for 21 points and 7 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Four Southside Flyers players scored in double figures. American forward Sania Feagin (190-2003, college: S.Carolina) came up with 13 points and the other American import forward Mackenzie Holmes (190-2001, college: Indiana, agency: LBM Management) added 11 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Geelong U. in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Southside moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Adelaide. Geelong U. lost their sixth game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the bottom position with ten games lost. Southside will meet at home league's leader Bendigo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Geelong U. will play against Canberra (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Southside: G.Cayla 24+16reb+3ast, R.Maddison 21+3reb+7ast, M.Makenna 11+2reb+1ast, B.Isabelle 10+10reb+6ast, P.Haley 9+1reb+2ast, R.Tera 7+4reb+5ast
Geelong U.: C.Mackenzie 13+4reb+2ast, M.Holmes 11+6reb, S.Heal 8+2reb+5ast, E.Brett 7+5reb+1ast, W.Georgia 6+2reb, A.Sharp 6+4reb