Nicole Munger has stepped up in the UC Capitals’ moment of need to steal victory in a thrilling 76-75 tussle against the Geelong Venom in the WNBL.
With two seconds left, the Capitals trailed by two points when Munger received the ball on the three-point circle.
The forward drained the bucket and on the next play, Venom star Mackenzie Holmes turned the ball over, gifting the Capitals victory at Geelong Arena on Sunday.
But it wasn’t just Munger who provided the fireworks as Opal Zitina Aokuso registered a double-double, complementing 18 points with 14 rebounds.
Aokuso was also instrumental in defence, holding MVP contender Holmes (15 points, 13 rebounds) to less than 20 points for the first time this season.
The loss for Geelong (3-8) was brutal as it led by six points with 55 seconds left, and Shyla Heal missed a crucial free throw with 10 seconds remaining.
Jaz Shelley (23 points, four steals) and Heal (17 points, five assists) were busy, but it wasn’t enough as they suffered their fourth straight defeat.
“It’s frustrating. We’re losing games based on the same things. At some point, we need to actually learn that lesson and make those adjustments,” said a dejected Alex Sharp after her 100th game.
“Obviously, it (100 games) is an achievement, and I’m happy with that, but I want to get the win for my team, and I feel like I didn’t help the team as much.”Victory comes after coach Paul Goriss revealed stars Jade Melbourne and Nyadiew Puoch had suffered from illness during the week, meaning they had to start on the bench.
Regardless, Melbourne dazzled, grabbing 16 points and five assists.
Canberra also came into the match having lost their last two matches by a combined 64 points.
To add to the occasion, the WNBL ladder was congested with one win separating five sides.
With fourth spot securing a finals berth, victory for the Capitals (3-6) lifts them off the bottom of the ladder and thrusts them back into the finals conversation in fifth.
“With our position on the ladder, we needed to get this one. We spoke about how it was a must-win for us,” Goriss said.
“To be down and make that comeback the way we did in an away game in front of a really loud and raucous crowd … (gives us) confidence.”
In a see-sawing encounter which had 19 lead changes, the Venom’s shot selection proved costly as they made just 39 per cent of their field attempts, while also conceding 17 turnovers.
Canberra wasn’t much better, struggling yet again in front of the net, scoring 27 field baskets.
The Venom started on the front foot, bucketing the first eight points before Melbourne entered the contest and helped close the deficit to two points.
Both sides exchanged buckets in the second quarter courtesy of Heal and Sara Blicavs dominating the paint, and Geelong led 35-32 at the main break.
Much of the match was locked in a one possession game before Munger stepped up to claim the victory.
