WNBL Round 12 (Regular Season): Sydney defeat Bendigo

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Bendigo Spirit (13-3) on the court of seventh ranked Sydney Flames on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Sydney Flames 89-78. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Bendigo Spirit. Sydney looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Bendigo's players. It was a good game for American forward Unique Thompson (190-1999, college: Auburn) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). The former international guard Lauren Nicholson (180-1993, college: SMC) contributed with 19 points and 4 assists for the winners. Sydney Flames' coach Guy Molloy used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. International guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) replied with 32 points and 6 rebounds for Bendigo. Sydney (5-12) moved-up to sixth place. Defending champion Bendigo still keeps top position with three games lost. Sydney are looking forward to face higher ranked Canberra (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Bendigo will play against Southside and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Canberra. Fifth ranked Canberra Capitals (7-8) saved a 3-point victory at home edging second-best Perth Lynx (12-4) 77-74 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Perth Lynx. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Nyadiew Puoch (190-2004) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and Zitina Aokuso who added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Chinese center Xu Han (208-1999) with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds. Canberra moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Southside. Perth at the other side keeps the second position with four games lost. They share it with Townsville. Canberra will play against Sydney (#6) on the road in the next round. Perth will play against Adelaide (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Townsville Fire (12-4) against eighth ranked United (4-13) on Tuesday night. Host Townsville Fire was defeated by United in Townsville 88-71. The winners were led by Mackenzie Holmes who had that evening a double-double by scoring 30 points and 14 rebounds. Even a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds by Chantel Horvat did not help to save the game for Townsville. Newly promoted Geelong U. maintains eighth position with 4-13 record. Loser Townsville Fire keeps the second place with four games lost. They share the position with Perth. Geelong U. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Townsville will play against Southside in Dandenong and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 12: Adelaide was beaten by Perth on the road 93-75. Southside destroyed Geelong U. on its own court 94-52. Townsville managed to outperform Adelaide in a road game 83-69.

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 - Adelaide 93-75

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Perth Lynx (12-4) beat at home 6th ranked Adelaide Lightning (4-12) 93-75 on Friday. Perth outrebounded Adelaide 47-30 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Perth looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by the former international forward Anneli Maley (185-1998, college: TCU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Alex Ciabattoni (183-1994, college: Newman) supported her with 25 points and 4 assists. Four Perth Lynx players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists by the former international forward Steph Talbot (188-1994) did not help to save the game for Adelaide. point guard Dallas Loughridge (167-2004) added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Perth Lynx have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 12-4 record behind leader Bendigo, which they share with Townsville. Adelaide lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with 12 games lost. Perth will meet at home Adelaide (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Adelaide will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: S.Talbot 16+10reb+5ast, D.Loughridge 15+5reb+6ast, S.Feagin 15+5reb+4ast, F.Jasmin 8, S.Ashlee 5+1reb+1ast, E.Tofaeono 5+3reb+2ast
Perth: C.Alex 25+3reb+4ast, M.Anneli 18+15reb+6ast, A.Amy 16+2reb, W.Alex 15+6reb+5ast, H.Xu 9+5reb, G.Tegan 8+4reb

Southside - Geelong U. 94-52

Rather expected game when 8th ranked United (4-13) was smashed by fifth ranked Southside Flyers (7-8) in Dandenong 94-52 on Saturday. Southside shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Geelong U.'s players. The winners were led by international center Cayla George (193-1989) who scored that evening 13 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and American forward Haley Peters (190-1992, college: Duke) supported her with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Four Southside Flyers players scored in double figures. Even 17 points and 7 rebounds by American forward Mackenzie Holmes (190-2001, college: Indiana, agency: LBM Management) did not help to save the game for Geelong U.. The former international point guard Shyla Heal (167-2001, agency: LBM Management) added 15 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. Southside Flyers have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Canberra. Geelong U. lost ninth consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom position with 13 games lost. Southside will meet at home higher ranked Townsville (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Geelong U. will play against Townsville (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Geelong U.: M.Holmes 17+7reb, S.Heal 15+2reb+2ast, J.Shelley 8+4reb+1ast, C.Mackenzie 3+3reb+1ast, L.Rotunno 3+1reb+1ast, A.Sharp 2+4reb
Southside: P.Haley 19+7reb+1ast, R.Maddison 15+2reb+5ast, G.Cayla 13+8reb+7ast, L.Nyaduoth 11+3reb+1ast, B.Indiah 10+3reb+1ast, M.Puoch 10+2reb

Canberra - Perth 77-74

Important game to mention about took place in Canberra. Fifth ranked Canberra Capitals (7-8) saved a 3-point victory at home edging second-best Perth Lynx (12-4) 77-74 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Perth Lynx. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Nyadiew Puoch (190-2004) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and Zitina Aokuso who added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Canberra Capitals players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Chinese center Xu Han (208-1999) with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds and the former international forward Anneli Maley (185-1998, college: TCU) scored 9 points and 15 rebounds. Canberra moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Southside. Perth at the other side keeps the second position with four games lost. They share it with Townsville. Canberra will play against Sydney (#6) on the road in the next round. Perth will play against Adelaide (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Perth: X.Han 30+15reb, A.Wilson 12+2reb+4ast, A.Ciabattoni 11+1reb+2ast, A.Maley 9+15reb+3ast, S.Gorman 6+3ast, A.Atwell 4+3reb+4ast
Canberra: P.Nyadiew 23+7reb+4ast, Z.Aokuso 16+7reb+4ast, J.Clark 12+5reb+3ast, S.Kadiatou 11+11reb+1ast, I.Brancatisano 5+1reb+4ast, T.Morrell 5+5reb+2ast

Adelaide - Townsville 69-83

Rather predictable result when second ranked Townsville Fire (12-4) won against on the road 6th ranked Adelaide Lightning (4-12) 83-69 on Sunday. Townsville looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by the former international forward Alexandra Fowler (180-2001, college: Portland) who scored that evening 14 points and 8 rebounds and forward Alicia Froling (190-1996, college: SMU) supported her with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Even 18 points and 6 assists by point guard Dallas Loughridge (167-2004) did not help to save the game for Adelaide. The former international forward Steph Talbot (188-1994) added 19 points and 6 rebounds. Townsville maintains second position with 12-4 record behind leader Bendigo, which they share with Perth. Adelaide lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with 12 games lost. Townsville will meet Southside (#5) in the next round. Adelaide will play against the league's second-placed Perth and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: S.Talbot 19+6reb+2ast, D.Loughridge 18+4reb+6ast, S.Feagin 11+9reb+2ast, C.Whittaker 8+2reb+1ast, R.Sharne 7+3reb+3ast, E.Tofaeono 4+1reb+2ast
Townsville: S.Miela 18+2reb, F.Alexandra 14+8reb+3ast, F.Alicia 12+6reb+3ast, C.Forster 12+2reb+2ast, O.Lucy 9+2reb+7ast, H.Chantel 8+2reb+2ast

Sydney - Bendigo 89-78

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Bendigo Spirit (13-3) on the court of seventh ranked Sydney Flames on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Sydney Flames 89-78. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Bendigo Spirit. Sydney looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Bendigo's players. It was a good game for American forward Unique Thompson (190-1999, college: Auburn) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). The former international guard Lauren Nicholson (180-1993, college: SMC) contributed with 19 points and 4 assists for the winners. Sydney Flames' coach Guy Molloy used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. International guard Isobel Borlase (180-2004) replied with 32 points and 6 rebounds and added 16 points in the effort for Bendigo. Sydney (5-12) moved-up to sixth place. Defending champion Bendigo still keeps top position with three games lost. Sydney are looking forward to face higher ranked Canberra (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Bendigo will play against Southside and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Bendigo: I.Borlase 32+6reb+1ast, M.Megan 16+3reb+3ast, K.Griffin 10+8reb+2ast, R.Kelsey 9+6reb+1ast, O.Pollerd 4+2reb+1ast, S.Micah 3
Sydney: T.Unique 32+10reb, N.Lauren 19+1reb+4ast, A.Emma-Nnopu 13+6reb+1ast, F.Keely 9+6reb+5ast, S.Shaneice 8+2reb+3ast, J.McDowell-White 5+3reb+10ast

Townsville - Geelong U. 71-88

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Townsville Fire (12-4) against eighth ranked United (4-13) on Tuesday night. Host Townsville Fire was defeated by United in Townsville 88-71. Geelong U. made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American forward Mackenzie Holmes (190-2001, college: Indiana, agency: LBM Management) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 30 points and 14 rebounds and the former international point guard Shyla Heal (167-2001, agency: LBM Management) supported her with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Even a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds by the former international guard Chantel Horvat (183-1998, college: UCLA) did not help to save the game for Townsville. American guard Lucy Olsen (178-2003, college: Iowa) added 14 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Four Geelong U. and five Townsville players scored in double figures. Newly promoted Geelong U. maintains eighth position with 4-13 record. Loser Townsville Fire keeps the second place with four games lost. They share the position with Perth. Geelong U. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Townsville will play against Southside in Dandenong and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Townsville: L.Olsen 14+3reb+5ast, M.Sowah 13+2reb+2ast, C.Horvat 12+10reb, A.Fowler 12+6reb+3ast, A.Froling 10+10reb, E.Abbey 7+1reb+1ast
Geelong U.: H.Mackenzie 30+14reb+1ast, H.Shyla 25+7reb+4ast, S.Jazmin 15+4reb+8ast, M.Clinch-Hoycard 10+8reb+2ast, B.Elissa 3+1reb+1ast, G.Woolley 3+2reb