Adelaide Lightning dealt Melbourne Boomers a stunning blow to move within one win of a place in WNBL grand final series on Sunday.
The Lightning marched into Melbourne and rode a second-half wave of momentum to a 76-60 win at the State Basketball Centre in game one of their best of three semi-final series.
The Boomers looked strong in the first half with the teams tied at 35-35 at half time, but from that point the Lightning held sway with their defence strong and their offence dangerous.
Snatch and grab raid: Adelaide’s Steph Blicavs steals a rebound as the Lightning battle their way to a win in the first semi-final at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne.Credit:Mick Connolly
WNBA import Nia Coffey (16 points) burned bright in the first half and Lightning captain Nicole Seekamp (18 points, six assists) was the catalyst in the second.
Adelaide can close out the series with a win at Titanium Security Arena on Thursday night, or the Boomers can force a deciding game three in Melbourne on February 3. The sudden, consummate run from the Lightning will rest heavily on the Boomers as they plan their strategy in the coming days.
Melbourne were in the contest early, with teenage centre Ezi Magbegor (14 points) scoring around the hoop and the ball swinging around on offence, but soon found themselves chasing a deficit and a red-hot opponent.
Fast break: Lindsay Allen races past Adelaide import Nia Coffey.Credit:Mick Connolly
The Lightning forced the Boomers into 22 turnovers and one of their worst shooting nights of the season, going two of 17 from the three-point line and just 40 per cent from the field.
Boomers point guard Lindsay Allen (12 points, five assists) said her side were stunned by their sudden change of fortune.
"I think it did [stun us] – we were not making shots or getting any energy at either end," Allen said.
"We rely on our defence to feed our offence and we didn't get that in the second half, they were being really aggressive and it's hard to recover from that."
Forward march: Boomers captain Jenna O’Hea shows her trademark grit on way to the basket. Credit:Mick Connolly
Coffey was able to sit out the final term due to how hot her team was playing, and she praised Seekamp for her leadership.
"We went back to how we play offensively and defensively," Coffey said.
"In that fourth quarter, it started with our stops and our rebounds, then we stepped that up and let everything flow together.
Final push: Boomer Cayla George powers ahead against Adelaide’s Kayla Alexander. Credit:Mick Connolly
"I do not care [if I’m on the floor], those girls did such a good job, they had the momentum and there was no need to break that up."
Allen backed the Boomers to bounce back in Adelaide.
"I think we just had a bad shooting game and we won't have that again," Allen said.
"We need to be more aggressive, more proactive and have more energy – I know we will recover from it."
Coffey said her side were good enough to win it at home.
"After what we have been through this season, yeah we will be fine," Coffey said.
Game two of the semi-final series is at Titanium Security Arena, Adelaide on Thursday at 7.30pm AEDT.
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