'A Grades': Ally, Amy, Anneli, Alex school ADL

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

The Perth Lynx continued their surge up the WNBL ladder with a commanding 93–75 win over the Adelaide Lightning at Perth High Performance Centre on Friday, January 2, 2026 in Round 12 of WNBL26.

Perth set the tone early, racing to a 27–19 first-quarter lead behind crisp ball movement and relentless defensive pressure. While Adelaide steadied in the second term, the Lynx carried a 51–40 advantage into the main break and never allowed the contest to truly swing back.

The game broke open in the third quarter. Perth held Adelaide to just 12 points in the period, asserting control at both ends of the floor through physicality on the glass and efficient shot selection. By the time the Lightning mounted a late push in the fourth, the damage had already been done.

Alex Ciabattoni led the way for Perth with a game-high 25 points, shooting 8-of-12 from two-point range and adding three steals. Captain Anneli Maley delivered a typically all-court performance, finishing with 18 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, while Amy Atwell chipped in 16 points and knocked down all five of her free throws.

For Adelaide, Steph Talbot recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and Dallas Loughridge added 15 points and six assists, but the Lightning struggled to match Perth’s physical presence.

The Lynx finished with a decisive 50–34 rebounding edge and shot 52.6% from the field, underlining their growing authority as the season heads into its critical phase.

Perth consolidated second on the ladder at 12-3, a game back of the Bendigo Spirit at 13-3.

Perth Lynx

• Alex Ciabattoni – 25 points, 8–12 2PT, 2–5 3PT, 4 assists, 3 steals
• Anneli Maley – 18 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
• Amy Atwell – 16 points, 3 threes, perfect 5–5 FT
• Ally Wilson – 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists

Key Details

• Result: Perth Lynx 93 def. Adelaide Lightning 75
• When: Thursday, 2nd January 2026
• Where: Perth High Performance Centre, Perth
• Attendance: 2,041
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Alex Ciabattoni (Perth Lynx) starred with 25 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in 28 minutes.
• Steph Talbot (Adelaide Lightning) scored 16 points, and had 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal in 33 minutes.

What Happened

The Lynx established early control, outscoring Adelaide 27-19 in the opening period before extending their advantage through consistent offensive execution. Perth maintained their momentum in the second quarter, taking a 51-40 lead into halftime behind Ciabattoni's efficient shooting and Anneli Maley's presence in the paint.

Perth's dominance reached its peak in the third quarter, where they outscored the Lightning 22-12 to build a commanding 73-52 advantage. The home side's balanced attack proved too much for Adelaide to handle, with multiple players contributing across all facets of the game.

Ciabattoni was outstanding from the field, shooting an efficient 8-from-12 from two-point range and connecting on 2-from-5 from downtown.

Maley dominated the boards with 15 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds that provided crucial second-chance opportunities for Perth. Her 6-from-10 shooting from the field, combined with 2-from-5 from deep, showcased her versatility in the frontcourt. Amy Atwell added 16 points, connecting on 3-from-8 from beyond the arc.

Perth's superior shooting efficiency was the defining factor in their victory. The Lynx shot a solid 53% from the field (20-from-38) compared to Adelaide's disappointing 43% (13-from-30). From downtown, Perth connected on 13-from-35 (37%) while Adelaide managed 15-from-40 (38%). The home side's dominance was further emphasised by their 50-34 rebounding advantage and superior ball movement with 21 assists.

For Adelaide, Steph Talbot led the scoring with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double effort, while Dallas Loughridge and Sania Feagin each contributed 15 points. However, their collective shooting struggles, particularly Feagin's 3-from-10 from two-point range, hampered any sustained comeback attempts.