IPSWICH Lady Force produced a strong all-round display to defeat the Brisbane Capitals 82-62 in Saturday night’s NBL1 North clash at Ipswich Basketball Stadium, controlling the contest from start to finish.
Behind a disciplined defensive effort and an even spread of scoring, Ipswich led at every change and steadily pulled away after halftime to record a comprehensive 20-point win.
The Force wasted no time asserting themselves, jumping out to an early advantage in the opening quarter (19-13) through sharp ball movement and aggressive transition play.
Momentum remained firmly with the home side through the second term, with Ipswich extending their lead to 39-26 at halftime. The combination of inside scoring and perimeter efficiency proved difficult for the Capitals to contain, as Ipswich continued to capitalise on turnovers and open-court opportunities.
Captain Olivia West delivered a commanding performance, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists while anchoring the team’s offence in key stretches.
The standout scoring performance came from Valerie Huerta, who top-scored with 18 points, while Georgia Ralph played a crucial role with 13 points and five rebounds.
While Ipswich’s offence was effective, it was their defensive intensity that shaped the outcome. The Force forced Brisbane into difficult shot selections, disrupted passing lanes and controlled the rebounding battle at key moments, limiting Brisbane’s ability to sustain runs.
The result highlights Ipswich’s growing cohesion and ability to control games on both ends of the floor.
The Ipswich Force Men’s outfit then backed up the performance from the Lady Force delivering a composed and clinical home performance, outgunning the Brisbane Capitals 97-85 in a fast-paced showdown at Ipswich Basketball Stadium.
From the opening tip, Ipswich set the tone with a blistering first half, stacking on 53 points to take control of the contest. Brisbane stayed in touch early, but the home side’s ball movement and perimeter efficiency steadily stretched the margin.
Ipswich’s big three led the charge. Lamar Patterson was dominant with 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists in a commanding all-round display, while Jason Ralph added 18 points and William Mahoney chipped in 16 points along with active defence, including four steals.
Ipswich’s depth proved decisive, with multiple contributors stepping up across all four quarters as they continue to build rhythm in the North Men campaign.
The Force outfits now head up the Bruce Highway to play the Sunshine Coast Phoenix at Caloundra Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
