NBL1 x WNBL: Round 5 recap

The Perth Lynx made their long-awaited WNBL 2021/22 debut in Round 5, going down by just two points in a heart-stopper against the top-of-the-table Adelaide Lightning. 

Captain Darcee Garbin (15 points, seven rebounds and four steals) and Kilsyth centre Lauren Scherf (10 points and nine rebounds) led the way for Perth's NBL1 contigent in the loss. 

For the winners, Mackay's Chelsea Brook played her best game of the season so far, notching up 14 points on 75 percent from the field. 

This win came after the Lightning defeated the Melbourne Boomers by 12 points in their first game of the round. 

It was Forestville's Sam Simon who played her best game of the season, producing 10 points, with nine of those points coming from beyond the arc. 

Former Geelong Supercat Ezi Magbegor continued to shine for Melbourne with 15 points and eight boards. 

In the other game of the round, the University of Canberra Capitals made a statement against the Townsville Fire in front of their home fans. 

With top spot on the ladder up for grabs, the Caps ran away with a 76-52 win, led by the returning Kelsey Griffin. 

After suffering a facial fracture in Round 1 and sitting on the sidelines ever since, the Launceston Tornadoes star returned with a bang, recording 20 points on 70 percent from the field to go with nine rebounds and five assists. 

She was complemented by Logan championship player Mikaela Ruef, who put up 13 points on 66.7 percent shooting, along with nine boards and three dimes. 

Townsville Flames star Steph Reid tried hard all game for the Fire with 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. 

In Round 6, Bendigo Braves star Kelly Wilson will play her 400th WNBL game for the UC Capitals, a feat that no other player has achieved in the league's 42-year history. 

You can read more about her 19-year career here.