A LATE fightback from the undersized Canberra Capitals was not enough to lift them to victory as the Bulleen Boomers avenged last season’s WNBL grand final defeat with the 88-73 win at the AIS Arena. It was a less than ideal start to Canberra’s bid to collect back to back championships.

Canberra coach Carrie Graf conceded the performance against the Boomers was patchy, but said her team would still be a title contender. ‘‘It came down to our lack of size [against Bulleen] and when it came down the stretch their size overtook us and that’s what won it,’’ Graf said. ‘‘Not having Tracey [Beatty] out there hurt us and that size overcame us. ‘‘Bulleen is unique and other teams around the league don’t have their height so when we’re at full strength that size factor won’t be a big problem.’’ Beatty played just 10 minutes before being fouled out of the game. The Boomers o u t - rebounded the Capitals 48-28 with twin towers Elyse Penaluna and Elizabeth Cambage doing the damage. Penaluna grabbed 13 rebounds and scored 22 points and was well supported by teenage giant Cambage who pulled in seven rebounds and scored 15.

While Penaluna and Cambage were two of four Bulleen players to reach double figures, Nat Hurst (25) and Jess Bibby (15) were the only Capitals to have a major impact on the scoreboard. With Beatty on the sideline and Abby Bishop out injured, Marianna Tolo was forced to play 30 minutes. ‘‘Their size and the workload took its toll and wore Tolo down,’’ Graf said. ‘‘

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