The Adelaide Lightning and Southside Flyers clashed in a thrilling encounter in the WNBL, with the latter coming out on top with a 73-72 victory. The game was evenly contested throughout, with both sides exchanging leads on multiple occasions. 

With Kayla Thornton’s last-shot heroics, the Flyers won it by a margin of a single point in front of the home crowd at Adelaide 36ers Arena. However, the game was tight throughout, with both sides trading leads through the first three quarters of play. 

The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging baskets. The home team, Lightning, managed to edge ahead, ending the quarter with a 21-16 lead.

Southside picked up the pace in the second quarter but could not take the lead. Both teams displayed strong defence and sharp shooting throughout this quarter. But in the end, Adelaide kept their control and went to break at 42-37.

The third quarter was a battle, with both teams trading baskets and playing aggressively. Adelaide tried to hold on to their lead, but Southside mounted a comeback and ended the quarter with a 1-point advantage. The scoreline was 57-58, and the game was set for the fourth quarter.

Lightning gave it their all in the final quarter, but Southside held on for the win, scoring 72-73. Adelaide led the game by 72-71 with only seconds left on the clock, and it all came down to the last shot. 

All of a sudden, Thornton stepped up to the plate, converting a 2-point field goal and sealing the win for the Flyers. The crowd erupted as Thornton’s clutch basket made the Southside fans delirium.

Steph Talbot was once again in top form, delivering a 15-point, 11-assist double-double performance for Adelaide. Despite her best efforts, the Lightning struggled to keep up with Southside’s Kayla Thornton and Lauren Jackson, who found their rhythm in the second half.

Thornton was a force to be reckoned with, finishing with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Izzy Borlase continued her impressive form this season, lighting up the court in the opening quarter with 100% shooting accuracy. She finished the game with 19 points and was a standout player for Adelaide.

However, the Lightning’s efforts were not enough to secure the win, as Southside became stronger in the final quarter. Kayla Thornton’s last-second heroics will be remembered for years to come as she led her team to a hard-fought victory.

Overall, the match was a display of athleticism, skill, and determination. It was an entertaining and high-intensity match, with both teams leaving everything on the court. 

Both teams put on a fantastic show, with the result only being decided in the dying seconds of the game. Southside will be delighted with the win, while Adelaide Lightning will look to regroup and come back stronger in their next match. 

The WNBL continues to deliver high-quality and exciting matches, and this encounter was no exception. Round 12 also saw another 1-point thriller between UC Capitals and Townsville Fire.