(Picture of Captain Sami Whitcomb by Eric Paul)
It was a big build up and an important game for both the Perth Lynx and Adelaide Lightning sitting 5th and 6th on the ladder with neither team having beaten a top 4 side this season.
Adelaide hit the ground running thanks to Monroe and Mansfield early and as the 1st wore on, Talbot started to dominate at both ends of the court.
Perth had managed only 3 of 14 from beyond the arc at quarter time, but Bibby was keeping the home side in touch.
In the 2nd quarter, Perth were relentless in defence and got their inside game going taking only 4 shots from outside. Atwell and Whitcomb both hit the scoreboard and the "tallest point guard in the league", Lauren Scherf was dishing out dimes to have Perth up by 1 at 1/2 time. Score 38 -37 At the start of the 3rd Talbot and Scherf were both eyeing off triple doubles. Monroe again was causing problems for the Lynx, though was clearly hampered by an injury and was forced to spend time on the bench.
Adelaide then struggled to protect the paint and couldn't contain Bibby. While Robbie Ryan put her body on the line and her 'play of the week' contender, with an intercept in defence to a layup score at the other end helped Perth maintain momentum and stretch the lead to 12 at 3 quarter time. Perth seemed in control during the last quarter .
Though Adelaide, led by Whittle kept pressing and got it back to single figures on a couple of occasions.
But Bibby showed why she's one of the leagues top scorers finishing with 25 points and Scherf (who finished just 2 assists shy of a rare triple double) helped Perth finish 2022 on a high winning 82 - 72.
As always, a great atmosphere at Bendat and post match plenty of fans hanging around to meet the Lynx players, get a selfie and an autograph. Make sure to get around the girls in the new year as they fight for that top 4 spot in the 2nd half of the season!
Written by David Brown
Photos by Eric Paul Photography