Match Report: Duke leads Lightning over Lynx

19/OCT/2008 – With Perth playing two games in two days it was always going to be a tough ask to come up against the ADF WNBL defending champions, eventually falling to Adelaide Link Lightning 93-76 at the Dome on Sunday.

Adelaide won their third game on the trot to pass Canberra and take top spot on the ladder.

With Deanna Smith out injured for Perth, Adelaide dominated the boards in the first quarter with a 16-5 rebounding effort. Adelaide finishing up with 56 - 32 on the boards.

Adelaide scored at will, but when Jess Foley went down holding her ankle the crowd went silent.

As she limped off the court another player from Adelaide decided it was going to be her night; Rebecca Duke with a team-high 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

The first half was all about the Lightning with three of their starting five in double figures. The small exception was with two minutes to go in the half when Perth Captain Melissa Marsh went on a 8-0 scoring run.

The momentum continued for Perth in the third quarter with Kate Melpass and Marsh combining for 21 out of Perth's 28 points and pulled the score back to 8 points heading into the fourth quarter.

When Tracy Gahan receiving an elbow to the head in a rebounding comp in the second quarter her tracksuit went on and it looked like her night was over, but when Perth got within 5 points early in the final term the tracksuit was off, with her head heavily bandaged and Adelaide coach Vicki Valk put her straight back in the game.

Her effect was instant, teaming up with Rebecca Duke for three quick transition layups. Adelaide's lead jumped back out to 11. From there Adelaide went on a scoring spree.

Lightning's lead quickly out to 17 points where it would stay for the rest of the game. Cayla Francis assisting with a very handy 17 rebounds, 19 points for the game.

Valk was pleased to come away with a victory after the close call.

"The girls fought really hard, happy to get the win," said Valk.

Perth played with plenty of heart.

Coach McKay for Perth said "He was really proud how all his girls played for each other and for the team. It was only their momentary lapses of concentration that cost them the game."

ADELAIDE LINK LIGHTNING 93 (R Duke 25, C Francis 19, A Marino 15)
PERTH LYNX 76 (K Melpass 26, M Marsh 22, R Mercer 8)

By Simon Crowden for WNBL Media