NBL1 North Round 4 Saturday night women’s recap

Catch up on the Round 4 action from the NBL1 North women’s competition on Saturday night.

USC Rip City 116 def Rockhampton Cyclones 79

USC Rip City ran away with their first win of the NBL1 North season with a 116-79 victory over Rockhampton Cyclones at USC Sports Stadium.

Rip City’s WNBL forwards Alex Delaney (Canberra Capitals), with a game-high 25 points and six assists, and Carlie Smith (Adelaide Lightning) combined for 48 points. Smith’s efficient 23 points came off 9 of 14 shots made including 2 of 3 from deep.

USC guard Liisa Ups posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while her backcourt partners Jasmine Forcadilla (13 points), Layla Prince (12 points) and Brandi Leal (11 points) showcased Rip City’s offence options.

With a six-point lead at the main break (45-39), Rip City made the most of their deeper roster and hustle to outscore the Cyclones 35-12 in the third quarter and set up the win. USC outrebounded Rockhampton 57-42 including 28-6 on the offensive boards and had a 20-9 steals advantage.

Rockhampton guard Akaysha Muggeridge top scored for the visitors with 23 points, while centre Lara McSpadden tallied 19 points and 13 rebounds and guard Katrina Clifford scored 19 points.

Rip City improve their record to 1-2, while the winless Cyclones close out a three-leg weekend against the Phoenix on Sunday.

Brisbane Capitals 88 def South West Metro Pirates 72

Brisbane Capitals improved to a 3-2 win-loss record after an 88-72 win over crosstown rivals South West Metro Pirates at Auchenflower Stadium.

Capitals guard Audrey Fuller top scored for the home side with 21 points, including 3 of 5 from long range, and 10 rebounds

Brisbane also ran its offence through guard Maddison Woodford (17 points), forward Meg Essex (14 points), and guard Brooke Blair (12 points).

South West Metro’s Amanda Johnson scored a game-high 36 points, including 5 from 12 three-pointers, to tally half of the Pirates’ total. The Pirates forward pulled down 17 rebounds to tally a double-double, while forward Kisha Lee added 14 points.

Ipswich Force 68 def by Townsville Flames 98

Townsville Flames bounced back from a Friday night loss at Logan to beat Ipswich Force 98-68 at JBS Stadium.

Townsville guard Stephanie Reid, who also plays for the city’s WNBL franchise Fire, scored a game-high 34 points including 4 of 7 from the perimeter and 10 of 10 from the free-throw line.

Flames guard Micaela Cocks (18 points and 13 rebounds), guard Jaimee Seebohm (16 points), and forward Mia Murray (16 points) added firepower to Townsville’s scoring options.

Ipswich guard Amy Lewis tallied a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds on her home court. She was joined in the backcourt by Catherine MacGregor (17 points including 5 of 9 three-pointers made), Ali Burke (13 points), and Kelsey McDermott (12 points).

The Flames, who outrebounded the home side 50-25 including 13-4 on the offensive end, improved to a 4-1 win-loss record and will complete a three-leg weekend with a game at the Gold Coast on Sunday.