ANZ Champs: Official Result & Statistics

Monday 11 April, 2016

ANZ Champs: Official Result & Statistics

Official Result: West Coast Fever (54) def SKYCITY Mystics (44)
Final quarter march seals Fever’s second win
Fever’s Courtney Bruce makes an outstanding six intercepts
International basketballer Megan Craig makes ANZ Championship debut
The A storming final quarter gave the West Coast Fever an about-turn 10-goal victory over the SKYCITY Mystics, 54-44, in Auckland tonight.

In an often fragmented match, the Mystics held the slightest ascendancy on the scoreboard through the first half, but the fitness and experience of the Fever told in the final 15 minutes.

A torrent of turnovers marked the first two quarters, as both sides struggled to forge a clear path to their goalposts.

The Fever’s tried and true combination of Caitlin Bassett and Nat Medhurst, skilfully fed by Shae Brown, quickly put the visitors out to an early three-goal lead.

At the opposite end, Megan Craig – the tallest player in the league at 2.03m – made her ANZ Championship debut. The Mystics’ goal shoot (also a New Zealand basketball representative) had a distinct 13cm advantage over Fever goal keep Courtney Bruce, but Bruce initially had the upper-hand, forcing Maria Tutaia to do the lion’s share of the shooting for the Mystics.

Craig found her eye and with three straight goals to put the Mystics in front. Impeccable timing on defence from Holly Fowler and Temalisi Fakahokotau ensured the Mystics led 12-10 at the first break.

Fever’s determined midcourt defence brought them back in line with the Mystics, but again the home side leapt ahead through the disruption of Fowler and wing defence Anna Harrison.

Trailing 24-20, the Fever brought on Kate Beveridge at wing attack to try to counter the rangy arms of Harrison. It worked to their advantage, and they inched back within one. But the Mystics maintained the two-goal margin they began the quarter with, up 26-24 at halftime.

There were critical changes in the Fever’s defence going into the third spell - introducing the height of Erena Mikaere to try to get the better of Craig, and moving Bruce to goal defence, allowing her more room to range. Bruce took full advantage, hunting down every wayward ball, and her total six intercepts and five deflections were a significant contribution to the Fever’s final result. Her tally would have likely been more had she not left the court with cramp in the final quarter.

Up 37-36 with 15 minutes remaining, the Fever stretched out their lead with four consecutive goals after smartly reading the Mystics’ intentions around the goal circle. Bassett stood strong in the face of robust opposition, and with the first real signs of any settled rhythm, the Fever soon had a double-figure lead. Bassett ended with 39 from 43 attempts.

While Mystics made a raft of changes through the court, it was too late to stem the tide.

Mystics Shooting Stats:
Megan Craig: 13/20 (65%)
Maria Tutaia: 27/34 (79%)
Cathrine Tuivaiti: 4/6 (67%)

Fever Shooting Stats:
Caitlin Bassett: 40/44 (91%)
Natalie Medhurst: 14/17 (82%)

MVP: Shae Brown (Fever)

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