Coach hopes Pulse haven’t peaked too early

Central Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie is wary of her team peaking too early.

The Wellington-based team is unbeaten after six games of the ANZ Premiership season and in its two most recent wins, against the Steel and Mystics, it posted a massive positive points differential of 53.

To beat two of the sides in contention to make the finals this year so convincingly shows the quality of the side McCauslandDurie has assembled.

But she is also aware the season hasn’t yet reached the halfway point and the other five teams will be out to catch up with the Pulse.

‘‘It is a long season and we’re always aware of that,’’ McCausland-Durie said.

‘‘Teams are spending more time together and so they’re getting better.

‘‘But we’re tough on ourselves in the areas we need to work on and I think we’re a group that’s really connected and all 10 of them are capable of going out on court and they’re aware of that.

‘‘So they work hard all week to make sure they’re an option.’’

On Sunday night in Auckland, the Mystics were able to live with the Pulse for a while, but towards the end of the first quarter they went up a gear and established a lead that they never looked like relinquishing.

‘‘I am proud that no matter what sort of pressure is applied to them, they continue to keep stepping up,’’ McCausland-Durie said.

‘‘It’s part of their personality, they’ve got a really good sense of themselves, they have real faith in each other and that had been an important part of the long preeason.’’

It was a good night for the Pulse up front, with Aliyah Dunn going 39 from 42, Tiana Metuarau five from seven and Ameliaranne Ekenasio 16 from 18.

Whenever a team can score like that, it is always likely to be successful.

‘‘Having three shooters who can shoot consistently and every time you come down the court, seeing the ball go in is fantastic,’’ McCausland-Durie said.

‘‘It seems like such a simple task, but it’s not that easy.

‘‘Also as a defensive unit, they’re working hard to create opportunities and we like to keep improving each week.’’

For Mystics coach Helene Wilson, this result was a reminder that while they’ve been gradually building over the season, there is a gap right now between the Pulse and the rest.

‘‘The Pulse are a big and powerful side, they’ve got a lot of strength right through the court,’’ she said.