Pulse denied by late Stars revival
A fourth-quarter flourish powered the top-ofthe-table Stars to a crucial comeback win over the Central Pulse.
The Stars stormed home in the final 15 minutes after trailing 44-41 at three-quartertime to topple the Pulse 55-53 in an ANZ Premiership match in Takanini yesterday.
It looked like the Pulse were going to knock over the Stars for the second time in three weeks on their home court, but a gutsy fourth quarter got the hosts home.
The Stars outscored the Pulse 14-9 in the final term with Oceane Maihi making a key impact at goal keep after replacing Elle Temu.
It was anyone’s game in the final quarter with the Pulse clinging to a one or two-goal advantage for much of the term.
The Stars hit the lead 52-51 on a Jamie Hume goal with four minutes left and gained the ball back on the next possession through veteran Anna Harrison. That turnover proved critical as the Stars went on a 4-0 run to push ahead and close out the game.
The Stars desperately needed this win after losing two of their past three games
Captain Maia Wilson stepped up in the final quarter when her team needed it most, landing several high-pressure goals and converting 10 from 12 in the final quarter.
Wilson finished with 37 for 45 for the game (82 per cent), while goal attack Jamie Hume had one of her best games of the season, slotting 18 from 21.
The second half was a cliffhanger with the teams regularly trading goals and neither side able to pull clear on the scoreboard.
The Pulse capitalised from Stars’ missed shots and mistakes scoring three unanswered goals to sneak ahead 43-40 late in the third.
A 5-0 burst from the Pulse late in the second quarter saw them surge into the lead after trailing for most of the first half.
The Pulse set the tone defensively, picking up intercepts and turnover ball with Fijian international Kelera Nawai particularly impressive at goal keep.
Silver Fern midcourters Claire Kersten and Maddy Gordon caused problems for the Stars’ attackers and slowed down the flow of ball into Wilson and Hume.
The Pulse would have been pleased to go into halftime with a 29-27 lead after outscoring the Stars 16-10 in the second quarter.