Froling fires Townsville with double double

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Townsville Fire stamped their authority on the contest from the opening tip, leading wire-to-wire in a 78–62 WNBL26 win against the UC Capitals on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.

The Fire’s pressure and physicality set the tone early, holding Canberra to 33 first-half points and never allowing a lead change across 40 minutes. Alicia Froling anchored the performance inside with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Miela Sowah and Abbey Ellis provided perimeter punch as Townsville pushed the margin out to 21.

The Capitals battled through the middle quarters behind Jade Melbourne’s energy and Zitina Aokuso’s work on the glass, but Townsville’s defensive consistency and depth closed the door late, reinforcing their position at the top of the ladder in front of 3,579 fans.

Key Details

• Result: Townsville Fire 78 def. UC Capitals 62
• When: Friday, 31st January 2026
• Where: Townsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Miela Sowah (Townsville Fire) starred with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 35 minutes.
• Jade Melbourne (UC Capitals) scored 13 points, and had four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 21 minutes.

What Happened

The Fire established early control, taking a 26-22 first-quarter lead before extending their advantage with a dominant second period. Townsville outscored the Capitals 17-11 in the second quarter to build a 43-33 halftime buffer, setting the foundation for their eventual victory.

The third quarter proved crucial as both teams traded baskets, with the Fire maintaining their ten-point advantage heading into the final period at 63-48. The Capitals managed to match Townsville's 15-14 fourth-quarter output but couldn't mount a meaningful comeback attempt.

Miela Sowah led the Fire's balanced offensive attack, shooting efficiently at 5-from-11 from two-point range while adding a three-pointer. Her all-around contribution included two steals that helped disrupt the Capitals' rhythm throughout the contest.

Alicia Froling dominated the paint for Townsville, recording an outstanding double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The captain shot an impressive 6-from-10 from the field while grabbing six offensive boards that provided crucial second-chance opportunities for the Fire.

The Fire's superior shooting accuracy proved decisive, converting 45.3% of their field goal attempts compared to the Capitals' 40%. Townsville also dominated the boards, out-rebounding their opponents 47-38, with their 20 offensive rebounds generating additional scoring chances that the Capitals couldn't match.

Defensively, the Fire forced 21 turnovers while committing just 17 themselves, creating a five-turnover differential that translated into valuable scoring opportunities. Their defensive pressure, led by Sowah and Abbey Ellis who combined for five steals, consistently disrupted the Capitals' offensive flow.

For the Capitals, Jade Melbourne provided a spark off the bench with 13 points on efficient 50% shooting from the field. However, their struggles from the charity stripe, converting just 64.3% of free throw attempts, proved costly in a game where every possession mattered.

The victory maintains Townsville's strong home court advantage, improving their record at Townsville Entertainment Centre. The Capitals will need to regroup after struggling to contain the Fire's balanced scoring attack and address their turnover issues moving forward.