WNBL: Cambage closes Round 6 with a bang
Round 6 kicked off with a bang by the Sydney Uni Flames, who dominated the Spirit in Bendigo 105-75. The Spirit are without their leader Kelsey Griffin for the remainder of the season after hip surgery and they tried hard to fight back, however the Flames proved they have the talent. Sydney made the most of Griffin’s absence and dominated the rebound count.
It was a standout game from Katie-Rae Ebzery with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Belinda Snell was also one of Sydney’s best with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Carly Boag had a great game coming off the bench for Sydney, providing energy and spark. Boag finished on 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.
Rachel Banham tried her best for Bendigo, scoring 21 points and Betnijah Laney also tried hard with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists.
It was a hot contest in Dandenong on Friday night, as the Lightning came to town to battle it out. The match saw some fierce defence by both teams, and despite a Rangers onslaught towards the end of the game Adelaide hung on to claim a 6-point win.
Carley Mijovic top scored for the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Abby Bishop dominated inside with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Colleen Planeta had a standout game with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
It was a double blow for the Rangers who also had their star Sara Blicavs go down with a nasty knee injury with scans set to determine the severity.
The Boomers headed to Sydney with their star Jenna O’Hea back which lifted their spirits so much they were able to claim a 23 point win over the ladder-leaders.
O’Hea was in fine form with 22 points, and Brittany Smart was another one of Melbourne’s best with 19 points.
Asia Taylor tried hard to make something of the game for Sydney with 23 points, however it couldn’t help the fatigued Flames.
Melbourne were on top of Sydney all over the court, including rebounds as they dominated the count 43-28.
The Spirit continue to struggle without their star Kelsey Griffin, and it was the case when they ventured up to Townsville for one of the hardest road trips in the league. Townsville were on top from the get go and never looked in doubt, they finished 94 to Bendigo’s 59.
The Fire were able to rest their stars and use more of their bench, however Suzy Batkovic still dominated with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Betnijah Laney tried hard for the Spirit with 17 points and 10 rebounds, but Townsville’s defence was too much for Bendigo to handle.
The Capitals ventured west to take on Perth, and a last quarter onslaught by Courtney Williams gave the Lynx this one in the bag as they came out 85-67 point winners.
Williams dominated the game, scoring 26 points and 9 rebounds followed closely by Alice Kunek with 16 points and Sami Whitcomb with 12 points.
22 turnovers for Canberra meant they gave Perth far too many opportunities, and the Lynx were clean with the ball with only 8 turnovers.
Jordan Hooper tried hard for the Capitals with 13 points and 6 rebounds, and Lauren Scherf also tried her best to make impact inside with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Round 6 saved one of the best for last, as the Lightning headed to the State Basketball Centre to take on the Melbourne Boomers.
The Boomers led from the get go but Adelaide weren’t giving up easy, and a 20-8 third term the Lightning’s way meant the game was in anyone’s hands. However a dominant Liz Cambage with one of the performances of the season refused to lose this one, and her massive 44 point effort along with 12 rebounds paved the way for a 3 point win to the Boomers.
Cambage could not be stopped and the Lightning tried their best to stop her, committing 11 fouls on the centre. Jenna O'Hea was solid for the Boomers with 12 points and Kalani Purcell provided some energy with 4 points and 10 rebounds.
Natalie Novosel provided a good game for Adelaide with 19 points, and Abby Bishop was as reliable as ever with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
However the game was all about one person and that’s Cambage as her total score was well over half of Melbourne’s entire points scored with a 78% shooting percentage from the field.