Steel import Jhaniele Fowler-Reid responded to questions over her form with a dominant shooting display against the Mainland Tactix last night, helping her side to a record score.
The 1.98m Jamaican supershooter was unstoppable under the post for the Steel, notching up 58 goals in her side's 26-goal ANZ Championship win over the Tactix in Christchurch - as many as the entire Tactix side managed.
The Steel's tally of 84 goals was the highest for an ANZ Championship match, eclipsing the previous mark of 80 goals, which has been achieved by three teams.
All four Steel shooters contributed to the record tally, but it was undoubtedly Fowler-Reid's efforts that set the Steel on course for the impressive total.
Fowler-Reid was also on track to surpass her own individual league record of 65 goals last night until she was replaced mid-way through the fourth quarter after succumbing to a minor ankle complaint.
At that stage, the Steel held a commanding 24-goal lead and there was little point in the visiting side risking its star shooter.
After a relatively quiet outing against the Mystics in last week's round five loss in Auckland, in which she was restricted to just 38 goals - well shy of her season average of 46 goals a match - Fowler-Reid was back to her free-scoring ways against the Tactix.
The Tactix did not help their cause when import defender Demelza Fellowes fired up Fowler-Reid midweek after labelling the Jamaican star a ''one-trick'' pony.
Fowler-Reid may not have the footwork, mobility or shooting range of some of the other top shooters in the league, but her key ''trick'' is a pretty effective one.
The Tactix defenders could do little to stop the flow of ball into Fowler-Reid last night, and it was the towering shooter's ability to hold space in the circle and strength on the rebound that was the key to the Steel's commanding performance.
It was clear from the outset it was going to be a tough night for the Tactix, as Steel midcourters Shannon Francois and Gina Crampton generated good pace in their attacking play through the court early on, and found their key strike weapon at the back with ease.
By the first break, the Steel had notched up a massive 24-13 lead, forcing Fellowes to retreat to the bench to try to assess how to stop the Jamaican giant.
Fellowes' replacement, Louise Thayer, made little impact, as the Tactix once again conceded 24 goals in the second spell.
While the Canterbury side did a better job in the second half of slowing the Steel's scoring rate, the Southerners still managed to outscore the home side in each period for a consistent showing that will delight coach Janine Southby.
In yesterday's earlier game, the West Coast Fever maintained its lead atop the Australian conference with a 53-47 win over the second-placed Melbourne Vixens.
There were further concerns for the Vixens when key midcourter Madison Robinson limped off late in the match after wrenching her knee awkwardly.
by Dana Johannsen
