Maley Magic: Double-double machine carries Lynx

• Latest News: Read more about the WNBL here.
• Latest WNBL Scores and Schedule here
• All 92 games of the 2025-26 WNBL season

Double-double machine Anneli Maley believes the Perth Lynx still need to fix their first-quarter performances despite returning to the winner's list with an 80-65 victory over the struggling Adelaide Lightning at the Perth High Performance Centre.

After being shocked by a last-second half-court game winner against the UC Capitals last week, the Lynx still looked sluggish to open their clash with the Lightning, apart from Maley's consistent energy which has seen her enter the WNBL MVP conversation in recent weeks.

Perth did enough to beat Adelaide but they weren't at their best, which Maley spoke about in the post-game interview.

"I still don't think our first quarters have been good enough," Maley said.

However, the win keeps them level with the Townsville Fire in second spot with the Lynx facing both last season's runners-up and defending champions the Bendigo Spirit at HoopsFest next round in what will be the ultimate test for Ryan Petrik's side.

Match Recap

Perth Lynx defeated Adelaide Lightning 80-65 at Perth High Performance Centre. Anneli Maley's 25-point performance powered the Lynx to a commanding 15-point victory.

Key Details

• Result: Perth Lynx 80 def. Adelaide Lightning 65
• When: Friday, 10th January 2026
• Where: Perth High Performance Centre, Perth
• Attendance: 1,775
• Standings: Perth Lynx Standings | Adelaide Lightning Standings

By the Numbers

• Anneli Maley (Perth Lynx) starred with 25 points, 12 rebounds in 35 minutes
• Dallas Loughridge (Adelaide Lightning) scored 25 points, four rebounds, three assists in 36 minutes

What Happened

Perth Lynx established early control with a dominant first quarter, outscoring Adelaide Lightning 20-12 to set the foundation for their victory. The home side maintained their advantage through a balanced second period, with both teams managing 18 points each to preserve Perth's eight-point halftime lead at 38-30.

The third quarter proved decisive as the Lynx extended their dominance, outscoring the Lightning 21-15 to build a commanding 59-45 advantage heading into the final period. Perth's ability to maintain offensive efficiency while limiting Adelaide's scoring opportunities showcased their superior execution on both ends of the court.

Anneli Maley delivered an outstanding performance for Perth, shooting an exceptional 7-from-12 from the field, including a perfect 4-from-4 from downtown. Her 25-point, 12-rebound double-double anchored the Lynx attack, with her seven successful free throws from eight attempts demonstrating her clutch ability at the charity stripe. Maley's plus-14 rating highlighted her impact during crucial moments.

Perth's balanced offensive approach proved too much for Adelaide, with four players scoring in double digits in a full team effort. Alex Ciabattoni contributed 16 points on efficient 6-from-13 shooting, while Han Xu added 12 points and seven boards. Ally Wilson provided excellent court vision with seven dimes alongside her 10 points and 10 rebounds for a well-rounded double-double performance.

The Lightning struggled to match Perth's offensive efficiency despite Dallas Loughridge's impressive 25-point effort on 9-from-19 shooting, including five triples from nine attempts. Steph Talbot added 14 points and six rebounds, but Adelaide's 41% field goal percentage and 29% three-point shooting ultimately proved insufficient against Perth's superior 49% field goal accuracy and 26% success rate from beyond the arc.