It was goal for goal for most of the final quarter, as the teams contested every pass and treasured their own possession.
With just 40 seconds left on the clock, an offensive contact against Phys Ed gave Southern the chance it needed to get in front.
Southern passed the ball around as the time ran down, before getting it into the shooting circle.
Goal attack Bridie Burns missed the shot, but got her rebound.
A penalty shot was awarded, the full-time hooter went and goal shoot Hannah Riddle-Pelchen landed Southern’s winning goal.
Riddle-Pelchen, who started the game at goal attack but moved back in the second quarter, put on a strong performance and scored 44 of her team’s goals.
She was Southern’s go-to shooter, nabbed her own rebounds and was key in Southern’s comeback.
Phys Ed was in front for most of the game, after creating a six-goal lead in the first quarter.
It started strong, showing patience on attack and forcing Southern turnovers.
Goal shoot Meleitia Tatupu was in fine form and shot an impressive 40 from 45, at 89%.
Phys Ed regularly used its defensive players on attack, resetting the play before throwing the ball into its shooters.
Wing attack Becky Paterson had a good game, especially playing against Southern Blast player Lisa Lin.
Paterson drove well through court and hit the circle edge.
Both teams were into their work in the second quarter, but a late surge from Southern closed the gap to three goals at halftime.
It continued its comeback in the third quarter, scoring the first three goals to level the score.
Centre Grace Herdman had a great connection with Riddle-Pelchen, often feeding the ball in from the middle of the attacking third. Southern dominated during this period of play and at one stage had outscored Phys Ed 7-1.
But Phys Ed pulled it back and went into the final quarter with a one-goal lead.
Southern’s circle defence of Tarryn Dickson and Penny Johnson worked hard, securing rebounds and tipping the ball away from Phys Ed.
An intercept by Dickson helped Southern score three in a row to level the score with about four minutes left to play.
Both teams were desperate for a turnover and two cautions were handed out in the dying minutes of the game.
In other games, St Hilda’s beat Uni Albion A 61-46, Phys Ed C upset College A 43-34 and South Pac Titans and Phys Ed B drew 51-all.
