LG Mystics Outplayed In Perth

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

It was too little, too late for the LG Mystics in their latest match in the 2009 ANZ Championship, with a last quarter comeback against the West Coast Fever in Perth not enough to claw back from what had been devastating form by the home team.

The 57-46 loss maintains the record of no Kiwi team winning across the Tasman.

Overall the Mystics were too loose and didn’t value the ball giving up five intercepts in the opening quarter as the Fever edged ahead 15-13.

The Fever won the second quarter 14-7 and third 18-12 to create a 15-goal buffer before the Mystics were able to take the final stanza 14-12, but the game had already been won

The Fever’s star goal shooter Caitlin Bassett was on fire from the outset, leading the scoring for the home side with 19 goals at 73 per cent in the first half. She finished even stronger with her 38 goals coming at 83 per cent.

Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan made some changes at half-time with her side down 29-20. She replaced goal shoot Cathrine Latu for the more mobile Jade Topia and goal defence Rachel Rasmussen with Steph Bond but much of damage had been done.

By then the writing was on the wall for the Mystics, who found themselves outplayed in all sectors of the court.

Latu and fellow shooter Pamela Cookey were kept away from the goal. In the centre court captain Temepara George was outhustled and goal keep Vilimaina Davu found herself with her hands full keeping tabs on impressive Fever goal shoot Bassett.

The next match for the LG Mystics is away to the defending champions, the Swifts in Sydney on Monday 27 April.

 

West Coast Fever (57 ) def. LG Mystics ( 46)

West Coast Fever Shooting Stats;

Catlin Bassett                    38 / 46 (83%)

Bianca Franklin                 19 / 26 (73%)

LG Mystics Shooting Stats;

Cathrine Latu                     12 / 17 (71%)

Pamela Cookey                24/32 (75%)

Jade Topia                          10/15 (67%)