Fire grind out hard-fought win against Capitals to conclude HoopsFest

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

(Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Needing to bounce back after a loss against Sydney, the UC Capitals travelled over to Perth for the final game at HoopsFest, in hopes they could grab a win that would put them back in fourth.

However, this would be easier said than done, as the Capitals matched up against a Townsville team who sat second in the standings and were coming off a two-game winning streak.

Nonetheless, the first quarter was close, with the Capitals pushing the Fire every step of the way. Nicole Munger was huge for UC, with five points and three rebounds in the first quarter, but Townsville held a narrow 22-19 lead at quarter-time, in large parts thanks to seven points from Alicia Froling.

Things got even closer in the second quarter, with each team scoring seventeen points, giving the Fire a 39-36 lead at half-time. 

Courtney Woods was impressing for the Fire in all aspects of the game, with nine points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals, while teammate Alex Fowler was the game’s top scorer with eleven points. As for the Capitals, Zitina Aokuso was keeping her team in the game with eight points and a game high six rebounds.

The tide would turn late in the third quarter, as the Capitals took the lead for the first time since the first quarter thanks to four late points from Kadiatou Sissoko, which saw the Capitals lead 64-63 at three-quarter-time. Courtney Woods was still dominant in all areas for Townsville, with seventeen points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals, while Sissoko was the Capitals’ top scorer with fifteen points.

(Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

After three straight quarters of trading baskets, the fourth quarter was the complete opposite, with a tight defensive display shown and baskets coming rare.

In the end, the Capitals would shoot themselves out of the game, only scoring five points in the final quarter and failing to score in the final five minutes of play. Townsville also had a low-scoring quarter with thirteen points, but it would be enough to win 78-69.

Kadiatou Sissoko was the Capitals’ top scorer with fifteen points, while Courtney Woods was dominant all around the court with twenty points, ten assists, five rebounds and four steals. And her coach Shannon Seebohm had nothing but praise for her after the game.

"It's very good (having Woods out there). I think if you really look at the league as a whole, there's a few players in some of these top teams that really make a difference. Obviously there's not a lot of talk about MVP, but I think she's the MVP of the league. You only have to really look at the four games she missed for us and how much our offense struggled. I think the most valuable player award should go to the person who is most valuable to their team's success, and I think that's Courtney."

- Shannon Seebohm on Courtney Woods' impact

As for Capitals' coach Paul Gorris, he was pleased with how his team stayed toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the league.

"I've got great trust and belief in that locker room of who we have, that we can compete with any team in this league. I think that's why it shows in those points I've just got to do a better job of finding some time and finding some of those extra minutes to play the bench a little bit."

- Paul Goriss on the belief in his team

The Capitals return to action to play the Spirit next Tuesday, while the Fire turn their attention to a top-of-the-ladder matchup against the Perth Lynx.