In a moment of pure sporting magic, the Canberra Capitals have pulled off a stunning WNBL upset, defeating the Perth Lynx 77-74 on the back of an unforgettable half-court buzzer-beater from Nyadiew Puoch.
A Hollywood Ending at the AIS Arena
The 3049 fans packed into Canberra's AIS Arena on Sunday were sent into absolute delirium as the final seconds ticked away. With scores locked at 74-74 and just one second remaining, Puoch launched a desperate heave from near half-court. The ball sailed through the air and swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, sealing a remarkable comeback victory and snapping Perth's impressive seven-game winning streak.
"I just threw it up and I thought, 'Well, what could go wrong'," a jubilant Puoch said after the game. "I'm feeling great. I keep doubting myself that I can't shoot the ball, but I just let it flow... I go out there and have fun, and that's what I did."
The incredible shot capped a career-best performance for Puoch, who finished with a team-high 23 points, including five three-pointers from eight attempts. She also added seven rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a block in a complete all-around display.
Overcoming Adversity to Claim Victory
The win was a massive statement from a Capitals side battling significant injury woes. The team was without inspirational captain Jade Melbourne, who is sidelined for at least four weeks with a spiral fracture in her hand that required surgery and the insertion of a plate last Monday. Key player Sara Blicavs was also absent due to a knee issue.
Despite these setbacks and coming off two tough losses over the Christmas period, the Capitals showed immense resilience. Their defence was tenacious throughout, keeping the high-flying Lynx offence in check for long periods. Scores were locked at 38-all at halftime, and Canberra managed to cling to a narrow lead for much of the second half.
When Perth surged ahead in the final seven minutes, the Capitals' fight was epitomised by Kadiatou Sissoko, who scored crucial points off defensive stops to keep her team in touch. After Lynx star Anneli Maley levelled the scores with two clutch free throws, Puoch made the game-winning steal and launched her miraculous shot to send the home crowd into hysterics.
Team Effort Fuels Finals Push
Puoch was not alone in her heroics. Zitina Aokuso delivered an outstanding performance against Perth's 211cm WNBA star Han Xu, contributing 16 points and four assists. Guard Jayda Clark stepped up in Melbourne's absence, adding 12 valuable points.
The victory was a vital one for the Capitals' finals aspirations, lifting them back into contention for a top-four spot with just eight regular season games remaining. Puoch was adamant her team is a genuine title contender this season. "Absolutely [we're in the hunt for finals]. We've worked too hard to let it all go," she declared.
She also praised the incredible atmosphere created by the Canberra faithful, describing the crowd as "our sixth player." The scene after the buzzer-beater was one of unbridled joy, with the entire Capitals bench flooding the court to mob Puoch. Even the injured Melbourne, her hand in a protective brace, was seen jumping uncontrollably with her teammates.
The Capitals now turn their attention to a crucial road game against the Sydney Flames this Saturday, a match they must win to solidify their position in the finals race.
