A much-improved effort from the Northern Stars wasn’t enough to overcome the Southern Steel in Invercargill, losing 61 - 63.
In a close and intense match throughout, it was two crucial intercepts from Steel goal keep Courtney Elliot in the final quarter that helped the Steel secure the win.
Stars Head Coach Kiri Wills felt the side performed better today after last weekend’s loss to the Magic.
“That was a much better hit out from us and I’m happy with that effort. Our team did take a step up and I thought our attacking end were patient and accurate.”
Wills stuck with the Stars shooting combination of Maia Wilson and Paula Griffin for the entire game, with both players having their best shooting performance of the season so far.
Wilson in particular shot 42 from 45 attempts for a 93 percent success rate.
It was a tentative start to the match for the Stars as the Steel shot out to a four-goal lead, before the Stars found their groove to close out the quarter one goal ahead, 16 - 15.
The Stars midcourt of Grace Kara and Holly Fowler found a much smoother path to their shooters in the second quarter.
The heavy penalty count on Olivia Coughlin saw coach Kiri Wills bring Kate Burley into the game half way through the quarter.
“I’d like to see us cut back on the penalties, also we didn’t get as much ball as we’d like so we will go back and review footage and see how we can get more ball,” Wills said of the Stars defensive efforts.
A clear tactic of the Steel was to double up on Kara to shut out the Stars captain from receiving the center pass. Griffin stepped up and often found Wilson under the hoop from the center third.
The Stars closed out the first half 33-31 ahead of the home team.
There were more changes in the defensive end at the start of the third quarter for the Stars.
Ama Agbeze moved to goal keep, Fowler to goal defence, Fa’amu Ioane into center and Kirsten Hurley into wing defence after playing a full game for the Comets in the Beko league.
The Steel shooting pair of Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Olivia Bates had the better start to the second half, taking the lead within the first five minutes as the southern crowd came alive.
Coughlin was brought back into the game for Agbeze, as the visitors fought hard to keep the home side from gaining any momentum.
A successful shot from Griffin on the buzzer saw the Stars go to the final break up 49 - 48.
Stars Captain Grace Kara says the belief within the team is strong and a win will come.
“We have huge belief in our team and there’s massive potential here, we haven’t hit our straps yet, that’s the exciting part, we will get there.”
Kara also praised the work of her shooters.
“Maia and Paula really stepped up tonight for us, presenting well and offering good options for the feeds.”
“Unfortunately, it’s those crucial moments in the dying minutes that cost us the game,” says Kara.
The Northern Stars will again take on the Southern Steel next week as ANZ Premiership action heads to Christchurch for Super Sunday on June 10 at 2pm.
Next home Match:
Monday 18th June – Northern Stars v Mainland Tactix
Time: 7:40pm
Venue: Pulman Arena, Auckland
