The Southern Steel squandered a 12-goal lead and just scraped home with a 50-50 draw against the Queensland Firebirds at their pre-season tournament in Queenstown last night.
The hosts' cause was not helped by experienced shooters Daneka Wipiiti and Megan Dehn both leaving the court nursing injuries.
The Steel stormed
out of the blocks, racking up a healthy 18-9 lead after the first quarter.
A feisty defensive effort from the Steel denied the Firebirds possession and they struggled to feed shooting maestro Romelda Aiken.
The dynamic display from the home team was marred by the loss of Wipiiti following a nasty blow to her ribs.
Staring at a 12-goal deficit, the Firebirds switched into gear and slotted nine in a row to sneak back within three, the formidable defensive pairing of Amy Steel and Clare McMeniman having an impact.
Ahead 29-25 at halftime, the Steel maintained the advantage heading into the final stanza.
But the loss of Dehn with seven minutes remaining was costly and the Firebirds pounced, with Aiken evening the scoreline in the final seconds.
The Steel earlier beat the Central Pulse 64-53, after leading 32-26 at halftime and 47-42 heading into the last quarter. While the Pulse ventured back within five, the home team were never in danger. Wipiiti was a standout, nailing 49 of her 52 attempts.
The Northern Mystics came frustratingly close to toppling the Firebirds earlier in the day. The Mystics trailed 30-27 at halftime and, despite a gutsy effort, narrowly lost 62-61.
Traditionally a shooter, Kayla Cullen showed considerable potential in the defensive ranks alongside import Althea Byfield, who proved a worthy opponent for shooting maestro and Jamaican team-mate Aiken.
Life didn't improve for the Mystics, later losing 60-42 to the Canterbury Tactix.
Predicated by many to earn the ANZ Championship wooden spoon this season, the Tactix enjoyed a successful day, also dominating the Australian Institute of Sport 57-43 after leading 28-18 at halftime.
The Pulse later demolished the Australian youngsters 65-33.
- NZPA
