Capitals outmuscle Lightning in 4th quarter grind

• Capitals win 76–71 behind dominant rebounding and fourth-quarter execution.
• Aokuso and Puoch combine for 30 points to lead Canberra.
• Adelaide’s late rally falls short despite Talbot’s all-around performance.
• UC’s +17 rebounding edge proves decisive in the final minutes.

The UC Capitals held firm in a tight fourth quarter to claim a 76–71 win over the Adelaide Lightning, snapping Adelaide’s momentum and securing their most composed victory of the season.

In a game featuring 28 lead changes, Canberra’s superior rebounding (45–28) and late-game execution proved decisive.

After trading baskets through three quarters, the Caps built an 11-point cushion on the back of dominant interior play and strong contributions from their starting unit. Adelaide rallied behind Steph Talbot and Sania Feagin, but costly turnovers (13) and difficulty controlling the defensive glass allowed Canberra to close it out.

The win moved UC Capitals into fourth at 4-6 while the Lightning are sixth at 3-7.

Top Performers – UC Capitals

• ‍Zitina Aokuso – 15 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST, 3 TO (5–7 FG, 5–6 FT)
• Nyadiew Puoch – 15 PTS, 5 REB (5–10 FG)
• Jade Melbourne – 11 PTS, 6 AST, 6 TO
• Kadi Sissoko – 8 PTS, 11 REB

Top Performers – Adelaide Lightning

• ‍Steph Talbot – 16 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
• Sania Feagin – 14 PTS (6–13 FG)
• Dallas Loughridge – 12 PTS, 4 AST
• Erin Bollmann – 11 PTS (2–2 3PT)

Game Deciders

• Rebounding dominance: Capitals +17 (45–28), including 15 offensive boards.
• Fourth-quarter stops: Adelaide managed just 11 points in the final period.
• Interior efficiency: Caps shot 47.7% from the field and scored consistently in the paint.
• Bench impact: Puoch’s 15 points swung momentum in Canberra’s favour.

Key Details

• Result: UC Capitals 76 def. Adelaide Lightning 71
• When: Monday, 9th December 2025
• Where: AIS Arena, Canberra
• Attendance: 2,691
• Standings

What Happened

• Capitals dominated PIP (40–38) and bench scoring (31–9).
• Adelaide won Points Off Turnovers (10–6) and fast break points (8–2).
• Time in Lead: Capitals controlled the game (30:24 vs 3:41).
• 28 lead changes, reflecting a highly competitive game until the final minutes.
• UC’s 10–0 fourth-quarter run was the biggest of the game and ultimately decisive.

The contest began as an evenly-matched affair with UC Capitals taking a narrow 20-18 advantage after the opening quarter. Adelaide Lightning responded strongly in the second period, outscoring the home side 25-24 to take a slender 43-44 lead into the main break. The visitors maintained their momentum through the third quarter, edging the frame 17-16 to hold a 60-59 advantage heading into the final period.

UC Capitals saved their best for last, dominating the fourth quarter 16-11 to secure the five-point victory. The home side's ability to close out games proved decisive, as they weathered Adelaide Lightning's challenge to claim a crucial win at AIS Arena in front of 2,691 supporters.

Zitina Aokuso was instrumental in UC Capitals' triumph, delivering an outstanding performance with 15 points on efficient 5-from-7 shooting from two-point range. The centre was perfect from the charity stripe, converting all five of her free-throw attempts, while also contributing seven assists to orchestrate the offense effectively. Nyadiew Puoch provided valuable support with 15 points of her own, shooting 5-from-10 from the field including 1-from-3 from downtown.

For Adelaide Lightning, Steph Talbot led the scoring with 16 points despite struggling from beyond the arc, connecting on just 1-from-7 three-point attempts. The captain added five boards, four dimes, three steals, and two swats in a well-rounded display. Sania Feagin contributed 14 points on solid 6-from-13 shooting from inside the arc, while Dallas Loughridge chipped in with 12 points and four assists.

The game was characterised by its competitive nature, with 28 lead changes throughout the contest highlighting how evenly matched both teams were. UC Capitals' superior ball control proved crucial, as they committed just 17 turnovers compared to Adelaide Lightning's 13, though the visitors managed to create more scoring opportunities off those miscues. The home side's dominance on the boards (45-28) and their ability to convert from the foul line at a 64% clip ultimately made the difference in securing the hard-fought victory.