With time ticking down, the Southern Steel goal attack jumped into the two-point zone, took a deep breath and nailed the shot as the halftime buzzer rang at Stadium Southland.
It was so close the umpires took their time making a call – and when they finally awarded the double-points it brought the crowd to life as the Steel held a 10-point lead against the Northern Stars on halftime.
After a poor first quarter where they trailed by four at the break – and conceded seven turnovers – it was a welcome reprieve.
That set up a strong 69-60 victory against the Stars this afternoon.
The Steel won the second quarter 21-7, and while the scoreline is flattering, arguably what is more impressive is the defensive effort.
Holding the Stars to just seven points – especially after many considered the Aucklanders title favourites after last week’s victory – showed the defensive strength of the Steel.
But they will be frustrated with letting the Stars get back into the game.
Aliyah Dunn was immense with 54 from 56 attempts and Carys Stythe had seven gains and five intercepts.
The Steel swung the ball nicely around the circle edge, finding Serina Daunakamakama in the pocket for a line ball to Dunn on the base.
Martina Salmon faked to the pocket and finished with a pin-point ball into Amelia Walmsley.
Renee Savai’inaea shut down Claire O’Brien’s dominance on the centre pass, putting a wall in front of the dominant Stars wing attack.
But that good work unravelled when the Steel coughed up soft ball from the few gains they got.
Salmon nailed the first two-point to give the Stars a five-point lead.
Stythe snapped up a rebound, and the Steel found better movement in their attack end, but the Stars led 19-15.
Stythe went for a fly and flicked a nice tip off to start the second spell.
That led to a lovely passage of play and they were level within the opening two minutes.
Stythe put Walmsley’s shot under pressure, forcing a held ball and the Steel made sure of it at the other end for a three-point lead.
The Steel’s attack end was humming, reading off each other's screens and popping on the last second.
At the other end Stythe and Jess Milne started to work better in the circle. They covered the Stars shooters and Kimiora Poi and Savai’inaea set them up out front.
The Steel shimmied out to a seven-point lead and that put the Stars under pressure.
Walmsley threw away a silly ball and the Stars started to fall apart.
Then Heffernan nailed a two-pointer – her first of the game – on the buzzer to give the Steel a 36-26 lead.
Momentum started to swing back with the Stars as the visitors closed the gap to six, forcing the Steel to call a time-out.
They came out of the break strong with Stythe snatching yet another ball.
Salmon sunk a two-pointer and Walmsley added two singles to make it 45-41.
But their momentum hit a bump when centre Mila Reuelu-Buchan was suspended for two minutes for reckless play.
The Steel made the most of the opportunity – with Samon Nathan forced from wing defence to centre – to settle and led 52-44 at the break.
They went goal for goal in the final quarter, until the Stars pounced on a misplaced ball to get within five.
Salmon nailed a two pointer to put it within four – but Milne came into her own, flicking a tip back inside as she fell out of court and coming up with a clutch rebound.
And just to top it off Heffernan sunk another two-pointer to finish the game.
ANZ Premiership
The scores
Southern Steel 69
Aliyah Dunn 54 (54/56) Georgia Heffernan 15 (13/14)
Northern Stars 60
Amelia Walmsley 49 (48/53), Martina Salmon 11 (8/11)
Quarter scores: Stars 19-15, 26-36, 44-52
