Phys-ed C's dominance of the second quarter gave it the buffer it needed to beat Southern B 65-56 in game one of round two of the Dunedin premier club competition at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.
In the opening quarter, Phys Ed C seemed unable to shake off Southern B as the teams went goal for goal.
The main difference between the two teams was in the shooting circles. Phys Eds shooters Jo Morrison (goal shoot) and Penny Riley (goal attack) shared the shooting responsibilities, whereas Southern's Stephanie Brenssell grabbed all her team's goals.
Phys Ed's 84% success rate compared with Southern's 79% ensured it held the lead at 16-15.
In the second quarter, Morrison led by example with a fine display of circle work and accurate shooting (19 from 21 attempts). Phys Ed obtained extra possession through some tight mid-court marking from Megan Graamans (wing defence). She forced Southern to take risks with its passing, creating fodder for the circle defenders. At half-time, Phys Ed C held a 36-27 lead at half-time.
In a low-scoring third quarter in which saw Phys Ed C dominated the first part and Southern the second, each team amassed only 13 goals.
In the final quarter, the tempo lifted and Phys Ed C upped the pace. Not to be outdone, Southern stepped up its game and again the game seesawed.
Southern needed to turn over ball to cut back the deficit, but Phys Ed C's superior attack line held, and it took the quarter 17-15.
In the other big match-up of the day, Southern A matched the premier men's team for most of the first half, but still lost the match 26-40.
Playing a smart, short passing game, Southern A outsmarted the men and dominated on defence. It was not until the third quarter that the men adapted their style of play to pull away.
In other matches, Uni Albion A beat its B team 57-28 and College A drew with Phys Ed B 43-43. - Lana Morrison
