NSW Swifts fall to a crushing extra-time defeat
Quarter by Quarter scores
NSW Swifts 16 - 27 (11) - 44 (17) - 54 (10) - 62(8) - 66 (4)
West Coast Fever 15 - 25 (10) - 38 (13) - 54 (14) - 60(6) - 67 (7)
NSW Swifts 16 - 27 (11) - 44 (17) - 54 (10) - 62(8) - 66 (4)
West Coast Fever 15 - 25 (10) - 38 (13) - 54 (14) - 60(6) - 67 (7)
Shooting Stats
NSW Swifts
Catherine Cox 36/47 @ 77%
Susan Pratley 30/35 @ 86%
Team 66/82 @ 80%
NSW Swifts
Catherine Cox 36/47 @ 77%
Susan Pratley 30/35 @ 86%
Team 66/82 @ 80%
West Coast Fever
Caitlin Bassett 54/63 @ 86%
Bianca Franklin 7/8 @ 88%
Nikala Smith 6/8 @ 75%
Team 67/79 @ 85%
Caitlin Bassett 54/63 @ 86%
Bianca Franklin 7/8 @ 88%
Nikala Smith 6/8 @ 75%
Team 67/79 @ 85%
The West Coast Fever has defeated the NSW Swifts for the first time in the ANZ Championship in an epic extra-time encounter in Perth, 67-66 in round five of the 2009 ANZ Championship.
In the biggest upset of the round, this loss sees the NSW Swifts slip to only two wins from their first five matches.
Defensive pressure was a feature of the Fever game going goal for goal with the highly-fancied NSW Swifts outfit to finish the first quarter one goal behind, 16-15.
Jumping out of the blocks, the Fever started the second quarter the better of the two teams, evening up the contest in the opening minutes through the pin-point shooting of Bassett. Once again a goal-for-goal battle ensued with the Swifts unable to shake the determined Fever, going to the main break two goals ahead, 27-25.
Lifting the tempo in the third quarter, the NSW Swifts started to find their rhythm, as did Cox and Pratley, as they surged ahead. Not willing to give in, the Fever had a late run in the final minutes to move them to within striking distance heading into the final quarter trailing by six.
Sending an ominous warning early in the final quarter, the Fever got on a roll drawing to within four goals early on. With eight seconds on the clock the Fever got the turnover and quickly put the ball into Bassett’s hands for the equalizer sending the match into extra-time, 54-54.
Ending the first period of extra-time ahead by two, the NSW Swifts were in the box seat to take the match. But it was the Fever, with the crowd behind them that took the game up to the defending champions finding Bassett at will under the post.
A crucial intercept in the Swifts attacking third in the final seconds with the scores locked at 66 a-piece presented the Fever with the opportunity to snatch victory. As had been the case the entire match, a cool-headed Bassett landed the match winner, handing the Fever their third consecutive victory; and their first over the NSW Swifts.
NSW Swifts captain, Catherine Cox was disappointed with the result, but paid tribute to the young Fever side.
“We had a seven goal lead in that last quarter and let them come back into it. They played well, they got some intercepts when they needed to and we probably made too many mistakes,” Cox said.
“They show no fear and they played like that particularly in over-time so congratulations to the Fever.”
This loss sets up a crucial round six clash for the NSW Swifts, when they return to the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre to take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Mother’s Day.
Next Game – Round 6, ANZ Championship
NSW Swifts v Adelaide Thunderbirds
Sunday 10 May @ 2:30pm
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
Image: SMP Images
