Feagin Fires as Lightning Claim First Win of WNBL26

Adelaide Lightning have finally struck gold in WNBL26, snapping their early-season drought with a hard-fought 73–65 victory over the UC Capitals at the South Australia State Basketball Centre on Saturday afternoon.

It was the breakthrough Kerryn Mitchell’s rebranded side had been chasing — a gritty, composed performance anchored by American forward Sania Feagin, who delivered her most complete game in Lightning colours.

Feagin was immense down the stretch, finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks while powering Adelaide through a tense final quarter that stayed within one possession for most of the night. When the moment came, she seized control, scoring key buckets late to finally lift the Lightning off the mark for the season.

Captain Steph Talbot was equally influential, adding 18 points and four steals in a trademark two-way display, while WNBA imports Serena Sundell (14 points, seven rebounds) and Dallas Loughridge (14 points) gave Adelaide the spark and tempo they’d been missing.

“I’m super thrilled that we got away with the win, but we’ve got a lot to tidy up,” coach Kerryn Mitchell said post-game. “We had 20 turnovers today, but having four players in double figures — that’s what we need to keep building on.”

The Lightning set the tone early, racing out to a 17–4 lead before the Capitals clawed back into the contest. From there, it was a grind: neither team led by more than a basket for much of the middle quarters.

Adelaide went into halftime up 41–40, and it wasn’t until midway through the fourth that Feagin and Talbot combined to push the margin out to eight — a gap that finally held.

The win was also symbolic — Adelaide’s first under their new look, new coach, and new direction.

Canberra, meanwhile, suffered back-to-back defeats after last week’s 25-point drubbing by Townsville. Forward Teige Morrell was the Capitals’ standout, producing a career-best 15 points and six rebounds, but Opals guard Jade Melbourne was kept unusually quiet with just three points and five turnovers.

“We wanted to lock Jade down because she starts everything for them, and she’s an amazing player,” Mitchell said of her side’s defensive plan.

Capitals coach Paul Goriss credited Adelaide’s aggression but lamented missed opportunities. “We didn’t shoot well from three and missed some defensive schemes early,” he said. “We clawed our way back, but our pressure just wasn’t where it needed to be.”

The result gives Adelaide their first win of the season and some much-needed momentum ahead of next week’s road trip, while Canberra will look to regroup after a disappointing fortnight.

Final score: Adelaide Lightning 73 defeated UC Capitals 65.