A dominant first half from the Central Pulse set up a tough mountain to climb for the Northern Stars in Porirua as the home side won 66-50, in round 8 ANZ Premiership action.
Tonight was the first time the two sides have played each other this ANZ Premiership season.
Stars Captain Grace Kara praised the efforts of Kate Burley and Maia Wilson after the match.
“I thought Kate did an excellent job to get lots of tips and create turn over ball for us, and then Maia converting the goals at the other end, they did a great job.”
Wilson continued her strong shooting form of the competition converting 41 from 42 attempts for a 98% success rate.
Going into the match the two sides had the best attacking games of the competition with the Pulse averaging 58 goals a match compared to the Stars 57.
The home side quickly jumped out to a 7-2 lead as Aliyah Dunn continued her shooting dominance.
A strong first quarter from the Pulse saw them go ahead 20-12 at the first break.
The Pulse increased their lead early in the second quarter which prompted the Stars coaching staff to make changes.
Ellen Halpenny came on for Paula Griffin at goal attack and later Anna Thompson was brought on at center for Holly Fowler.
Stars assistant coach Temepara Bailey said the changes needed to happen to create spark on attack.
“Our attack end was unsettled and bringing on Anna and Ellen helped, it was a change that worked.”
The epic tussle between Fa’amu Ioane and Whitney Souness was a delight as both players drove hard to the ball and Ioane picking up deflections and intercepts.
The Pulse midcourt however ramped up to close the half and extended their lead 37-23 at the break.
A completely different Stars outfit showed up in the third quarter as Fowler returned to the court at goal defence and combined superbly with Burley to disrupt the Pulse attack.
The Stars chipped away at the Pulse’s lead to win the quarter 17-12 and head into the final fifteen minutes only down by nine goals, 49-40.
The Pulse found their range once again in the fourth quarter to win by sixteen goals.
Next up for the Northern Stars is the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic at Pulman Arena, Takanini on Wednesday 4 July at 7.40pm.
