Puoch’s last-gasp magic helps Capitals down ‘poor’ Lynx | USAEMALL.com

Young gun Nyadiew Puoch has produced a last-gasp box-office score to steer the UC Capitals to a stunning 77-74 WNBL upset win over the Perth Lynx.

With three seconds left, Puoch picked up the ball inside the Lynx’s semi-circle before running to the halfway line and launching it.

The shot looked to not have enough power to travel to the net, but the ball nestled in it perfectly and the raucous AIS Arena crowd exploded.

Sunday’s victory came as the Capitals were without a host of stars, with Opals Jade Melbourne (hand) and Sara Blicavs (knee) and guard Tahlia Tupaea (concussion) all missing.

But they kept the contest willing, as Canberra dominated the first quarter, before Perth surged to lock scores at halftime.

After the break, Perth raced out to a game-high nine-point buffer, but a Zitina Aokuso settling lay-up midway through the quarter sparked a rampant 17-0 run.

With scores locked with 16 seconds to go after Canberra missed a series of chances, the Lynx had one final play, but Puoch stole the ball from an Ally Wilson turnover before downing the winning basket.

The 21-year-old also complemented a season-high 23 points with seven rebounds and four steals to help the Capitals bounce back from a 91-61 loss to the Sydney Flames last Saturday.

Opal Aokuso (16 points, seven rebounds) and French import Kadi Sissoko (11 points, 11 rebounds) were also influential, keeping Canberra’s finals hopes afloat. The Capitals (7-8) are equal with the fourth-placed Southside Melbourne Flyers on the ladder.

“I don’t even know, I just threw it up and it went in,” Puoch said about her winning shot.

“We played really well from the start … and then worked consistently for the whole game.

“It shows that (if) you put the work in and you work hard, you can do anything. We did that today.”

The loss for Perth (12-4), who were on a seven-game winning streak, means the side missed an opportunity to sit equal on wins with the ladder-leading Bendigo Spirit.

After enduring a two-day turnaround from playing the Adelaide Lightning on Friday, Chinese superstar Han Xu produced a trademark performance, posting a double-double with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and three steals.

Coach Ryan Petrik was quick to call the side’s efforts “poor”, but he was also disappointed in the free-to-air broadcasters, who showed a delayed game to Perth audiences.

“The work we’ve done at home and the work the whole league has done … for our fans not to see it kind of sucks,” he said.

“We started like we were running into concrete. In the second quarter we were electric, and then we played a defensive scheme for three minutes, which was awful.

“Unfortunately, there is a tax for travelling more than everyone else. That’s just going to (happen in) the national competition.”