Gordon injury mars Pulse win
Maddy Gordon’s memorable day ended in concerning fashion.
Gordon and the Central Pulse midcourt took over in the third quarter to topple the Steel 54-46 yesterday and remain unbeaten in the ANZ Premiership.
The subplot at Wellington’s TSB Arena was the showdown in the middle between New Zealand’s top two centres, Gordon and Steel standout Kate Heffernan.
Not much separated the playmakers for most of the afternoon, but Gordon and the Pulse midcourt were able to gain the upper hand in the second half.
Gordon hobbled off in the fourth quarter after hurting her ankle in contact with Steel midcourter Ivari Christie. She was helped off the court by team-mates Parris Mason and Amelia Walmsley, but was later seen smiling on the sideline.
Goal shoot Walmsley also felt some leg pain in the closing stages, but captain Kelly Jackson indicated post-game that it was just cramp.
At halftime, the Steel would have been eyeing an end to their 20-game losing streak, dating back to May 2022, with the southerners ahead 27-25.
It had been 710 days since the Steel last tasted victory, but any hope of snapping that losing drought vanished in the third quarter.
Buoyed by their noisy home fans, the Pulse outscored the Steel 17-8, forcing them into six turnovers.
Heffernan and Steel stalwart Shannon Saunders had got the better of the Pulse midcourt in the first half, but Gordon and Whitney Souness stepped up their play after halftime.
It was all the Pulse in the “championship quarter”, as they dominated at both ends of the court and forced the Steel into silly mistakes.
Gordon was crucial in sparking the Pulse, firing off seven goal assists, and bringing strong pressure on the defensive end in the third term.
Despite the loss, the Steel will be encouraged by their best performance of the young season.