Allen Leads Boomers to Win; Turner, Westbeld Lose in Semi's
by dillon77 (2020-02-24 10:34:05)
Edited on 2020-02-24 10:35:17
Post Reply Return to McGraw's Bench

Lindsay Allen scored 25 points and dished out 4 assists in leading the Deakin' Melbourne Boomers* to a 88-76 win of the UC Capitals in Game 2 of the WNBL Semi-Final Series. This ties up the series, one game apiece, setting up the third and final game in in Canberra on Wednesday evening.

(It's fun just typing or saying "Deakin'" and "Boomers")

Allen was strongly supported by forward Ezi Magbegor, the Australian Youth Player of the Year, who had 17 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and three steals in the victory. Magbegor explored playing collegiate ball in the U.S. (UConn was courting her heavily) before deciding to stay in Australia and go pro. She is slated to join the Seattle Storm in the spring, teaming up with -- among others, Jewell Loyd, Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart.

Allen is a "reserved player" with the WNBA, meaning she has three or fewer years of service and the team's prior team has exclusive negotiating rights. In Lindsay's case, that's the Las Vegas Aces. Up to two weeks ago, I thought LA was going to slide into a back-up point guard role behind either Jackie Young and/or Kelsey Plum, but Bill Laimbeer then went and signed vet PG Danielle Robinson. However, they have not released LA, so things will probably not be worked out until she returns stateside.

Kia Nurse, formerly of UConn and now the NY Liberty in the WNBA, led the Capitals with 17 points. She is one of the premier players in the WNBL.

Meanwhile, the Southside Flyers defeated the Adelaide Lightning, 82-79, in game two of their semi-final series to advance to the finals. The Flyers were the #1 seed in the playoffs.

ND's Brianna Turner, a member of the 2019 WNBA All-Rookie Team with the Phoenix Mercury, had a massive game to keep Adelaide in the mix, contributing 25 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks. Bri's ND teammate and classmate, Kat Westbeld, had a strong game as well, scoring 18 points in the loss. Kat joined the team early in the season after American Crystal Langhorne went down with a season-ending injury and had a strong year, averaging 10.6 points during the regular season.

Bri will return to the States to play with the Phoenix Mercury who now also include Sklar Diggins-Smith, who was recently traded there.

Kat tried out for the LA Sparks following graduation in 2018, but was cut. Since then, she's had success in Puerto Rico (leading her team to the league championship this year), Spain and, now, Australia. It will be interesting to see if she pursues another opportunity in the WNBA or opts to be an international player.





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