By Eamonn Tiernan
The Canberra Capitals snapped a four-game losing streak on Sunday night with a gutsy 76-73 road win against Sydney as Kate Gaze starred off the bench.
Gaze was flawless from beyond the arc, nailing six from six to finish with at 18 points, shooting at 75 per cent from the field during her 20 minutes and 35 seconds on court.
Suzy Batkovic dominated against Marianna Tolo and the Capitals in Friday night's game. But the Capitals bounced back against Sydney Uni on Sunday. Credit: Alix Sweeney (Townsville Bulletin)
The Capitals knew their season was on the line in Sydney and came out firing in a dominant first quarter to stun the home crowd with a 29-15 lead at the first change.
The Flames struck back in the second and got themselves into the contest thanks to Asia Taylor, who hit a three-point buzzer-beater to close the Capitals' lead to 42-39 at half-time.
Sydney hit the front for the first time at 56-55 with one 1:01 on the clock in the third, but Gaze drained a fifth basket from downtown to ensure Canberra held a 58-56 lead at three-quarter time.
The final term proved a tense affair and when Lauren Mansfield was fouled out with 3:27 on the clock it looked like the Capitals were in trouble.
But co-captains Marianna Tolo and Carly Wilson steadied the ship before super-sub Gaze hit her sixth maximum to see the visitors home for their best win of the season.
When Sydney had all the momentum in the third quarter the Capitals hung tough and will take plenty of confidence into round 14 after seeing out such a gruelling contest.
Canberra were thumped 93-60 in Townsville on Friday night and coach Paul Goriss will hope Sunday's win in the harbour city marks a crucial turning point in the Capitals' WNBL season.
The 1-1 road trip result ensured the Capitals stayed within touching distance of the finals-bound top-four in sixth spot, but Goriss's side must continue winning if they want to feature in the post season.
CANBERRA CAPITALS 76 (K Gaze 18 M Tolo 12 A Wehrung 12) bt SYDNEY UNI FLAMES 73 (A Wilson 16 C Boag 15 A Taylor 12) at Brydens Stadium.