18
Jan
Watch Now
George clears Flyers for take-off with 14-0 Q3 run
Cayla George of the Flyers puts a shot up during the round 14 WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Adelaide Lightning at RAC Arena on January 17, 2026 in Perth. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Highlights
Southside Flyers exploded after halftime to defeat Adelaide Lightning 82–58 at HoopsFest in Perth.
- Box Scores: All 165 games of the 2025-26 NBL season
- ‘Catch 22’: Analysing our most coveted coaching jobs
- All 92 games of the 2025-26 WNBL season
- Nine games, one city: Ultimate guide to HoopsFest
Southside Melbourne Flyers used a 14-0 third quarter run after leading by just three at half-time to overwhelm the Adelaide Lightning 82-58 at HoopsFest in Perth on Saturday, January 17, 2026 in Round 14 of WNBL26.
Southside won the second half 38–17, holding Adelaide to just 17 points across Q3 and Q4 combined after going into half-time 44-41.
Four Flyers' scored in double figures:
- Isabelle Bourne: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
- Cayla George: 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
- Manuela Puoch: 13 points in 18 minutes
- Maddi Rocci: 11 points and five assists.
Southside are in a battle for fourth and it was a must needed win. The Flyers moved to 8-9, the UC Capitals are 7-9 and the Flames 6-14.
Lightning star Dallas Loughridge led all scorers with 22 points, hitting 4-from-8 from three while Sania Feagin added 16 points inside, Steph Talbot added 12 points and 10 boards, the rest of the line-up scored just eight points combined.
Key Details
- Result: Southside Melbourne Flyers 82 def. Adelaide Lightning 58
- When: Friday, 17th January 2026
- Where: RAC Arena, Perth
- Standings
By the Numbers
- Cayla George (Southside Melbourne Flyers) starred with 13 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 30 minutes.
- Dallas Loughridge (Adelaide Lightning) scored 22 points, two rebounds and one assist in 35 minutes.
What Happened
The Flyers established early control with a balanced 22-20 first quarter before maintaining their momentum in the second period, taking a 44-41 lead into halftime. The turning point came in the third quarter where Southside outscored Adelaide 19-nine to open up a decisive 63-50 advantage heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Flyers, who maintained their stranglehold on proceedings by outscoring the Lightning 19-eight to complete the comprehensive victory. Adelaide managed just eight points in the final period, shooting a dismal 0-from-four from the field while struggling to generate any offensive rhythm.
Southside's superior shooting efficiency proved the difference throughout the contest. The Flyers connected on 45% from the field compared to Adelaide's poor 40% shooting, while from beyond the arc, Melbourne's 39% three-point shooting dwarfed the Lightning's underwhelming 26% from downtown.
The Flyers showcased exceptional depth with multiple players contributing in double figures. Isabelle Bourne added 16 points on efficient shooting, while Manuela Puoch chipped in with 13 points off the bench. Maddy Rocci provided 11 points and five assists, demonstrating the full team effort that overwhelmed Adelaide's defense.
Despite Dallas Loughridge's game-high 22 points for Adelaide, the Lightning struggled to find secondary scoring options. Sania Feagin contributed 16 points while captain Steph Talbot managed 12 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, but it wasn't nearly enough to counter Southside's balanced attack. Adelaide also struggled to control the ball, finishing with 17 turnovers.
