Capitals outshine Lightning to take eighth title
“A lot of us made the sacrifices we needed” LEILANI MITCHELL
THE University of Canberra Capitals have secured their eighth WNBL championship, defeating Adelaide Lightning 93-73 in game three of the grand final series.
With captain Kelsey Griffin (29 points, 15 rebounds) leading from the front, the Capitals completed a 2-1 series win last night at AIS Arena for their first title since the 2009-10 season.
A two-time WNBL champion and grand final MVP winner with the Bendigo Spirit, Griffin claimed both honours for a third time after averaging 25 points and 16 rebounds over the series.
The minor premiers shook off the disappointment of Wednesday’s controversial finish to game two, won 74-73 by Adelaide.
“Obviously it was everyone’s goal to win the championship this year,” Capitals guard Leilani Mitchell told Fox Sports after winning her sec- ond WNBL championship, having led Sydney Uni Flames to the 2016-17 title. “We have a lot of big names on our team but I think the key for us was playing together.
“I think a lot of us made the sacrifices we needed.”
Canberra’s long-range assault (14 three-pointers at 60 per cent accuracy) proved too much for the Lightning to handle with all five starters scoring in double figures.
Adelaide reserves Colleen Planeta (15) and Aimie Clydesdale (14) stepped up, with star import Nia Coffey restricted to four points in 16 minutes after getting in early foul trouble.
The Lightning made an ideal start, jumping out to a seven-point lead, but Canberra’s outside shooting came to the fore, sinking five of seven three-point attempts to lead 25-24 after one quarter.
Adelaide suffered a blow when Coffey picked up her third foul early in the second quarter but Planeta tallied 12 points for the half.
The home side went into the main break ahead 49-45 and outscored Adelaide 18-7 to open the third stanza.
Adelaide stayed in the contest by holding Canberra scoreless for a four-minute stretch, but Kelly Wilson and Mitchell combined for seven points to close the quarter with a 74-62 advantage.
Canberra went for the kill early in the final quarter with Marianna Tolo joining Griffin to push the lead beyond Adelaide’s reach.