Still alive: Capitals stay in hunt for playoff spot

• UC Capitals go to 7-12 and in hunt for WNBL25 playoffs
• Charli Collier poured in 23 points for Capitals
• Geelong United long shot to make playoffs in first season

UC Capitals outgunned Geelong United 91-77 (Game Centre) in a high-stakes WNBL clash for the visitors at Geelong Arena on Saturday, February 1, 2025 in round 14 of WNBL25.

The Capitals, led by a dominant 23-point performance from Charli Collier, pulled away in the second half to keep the pressure on fourth-placed Sydney Flames and to stay a game ahead of sixth-placed Adelaide Lightning.

The match began as a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets in a tightly contested first quarter.

Geelong's Alex Sharp came out firing, nailing two early three-pointers to give the home side an early edge. However, the Capitals' superior depth began to show as the game wore on. WNBA Washington Mystics point guard Jade Melbourne orchestrated the offence brilliantly, dishing out six assists while contributing 17 points of her own.

Collier went a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line, exemplified the Capitals' efficiency throughout the night. Geelong struggled to find answers, with their offence stagnating against the Capitals' swarming defence.

Despite a valiant 23-point effort from Sharp and a double-double (19 points, 12 rebounds) from Hannah Hank, Geelong simply couldn't match the Capitals' firepower. The visitors' balanced attack saw five players score in double figures

The statistics tell the tale of the Capitals' dominance. They shot a blistering 47.8% from the field compared to Geelong's 40.6%, including a decisive 37.5% to 12.5% advantage from beyond the arc. The Capitals also showcased their superior ball movement, registering 20 assists to Geelong's 13.

Collier's standout performance deserves special mention. The young centre was a force, shooting an efficient 9-from-14 from the field while grabbing five rebounds and swatting away a shot.