Pulse go top as Dunn shoots down Tactix
Central Pulse have shot to the top of the ANZ Premiership table after another prolific performance from rising star Aliyah Dunn carried the team to a third consecutive win.
The 19-year-old scored a gamehigh 41 from 45 as the Pulse easily accounted for Mainland Tactix 52-40 at Fly Palmy Arena yesterday, with the loss of Silver Fern Ameliaranne Ekenasio having little impact on a team with three starting quality shooters on its roster.
Ekenasio suffered concussionlike symptoms following a collision with team-mate Karin Burger during last week’s win over Waikato-bay of Plenty Magic. She watched yesterday’s match from the bench, with 18-year-old goal attack Tiana Metuarau promoted to the starting lineup in her absence.
Metuarau operated as a quasimidcourter for the majority of the match, with goal shoot Dunn shouldering the bulk of the scoring load for the Pulse. Metuarau finished with 11 from 14.
‘‘Tiana is a bit different in the fact she probably holds a bit more,’’ Pulse captain Katrina Rore said.
‘‘She’s a very strong player and if you run into her you’re probably going to come off second best. But she’s very skilful, has a lot of flair and she releases the ball very quickly. Meels and Tiana are very different which gives us a point of difference.’’
The Tactix did not miss a single shot in the opening quarter but still found themselves trailing 16-10, unable to create enough chances against a strong Pulse defensive unit.
Wing defence Burger finished the game with four interceptions, while goal defence Rore chipped in with two.
Although the second quarter was more even, the Pulse only able to extend their lead by one, they took control of the game in the third quarter and appeared to have the game won when they pushed out to a double-digit lead.
The Pulse opened up a 15-goal lead in the fourth quarter before settling for the 12-goal victory.
‘‘If the momentum switches we know we need to lift the intensity. That’s our responsibility when the other team gets momentum for us to get the ball and we put that on our shoulders and we make sure at least one of the four down the defensive end gets the ball for their team,’’ Rore said.
The result sees the Pulse move two points clear of Southern Steel.
Ellie Bird was the top scorer for the Tactix, making 28 from her 31 attempts. Her three misses occurred during the final quarter. (Aliyah Dunn 41/45, Tiana Metuarau 11/14) (Ellie Bird 28/31, Kate Beveridge 8/10, Brooke Leaver 4/7).
16-10, 28-21,
Central Pulse 52
Mainland Tactix 40
Quarter scores:
41-30.