Breakthrough win for Mystics against the Fever

Monday, 11 April 2011

After four long seasons, and an exasperating 60 minutes in Perth, the Mystics have finally scored their first victory on Australian soil, battling from behind to defeat the Fever, 56-54.

The furious final-quarter fightback by the Kiwi side was not only historic, but also critical in their bid to make the ANZ Championship top four for the first time. Tonight’s win saw them leap-frog into second place, two points ahead of the next three teams.

Mystics captain Temepara George was rapt with the win, acknowledging that although they played with brilliance only in patches, they used wise heads in the final quarter - not forcing the ball into the shooting circle, to score eight goals straight in their recovery from a four-goal deficit.

The Fever always posed a tough mountain to climb for the Mystics. The Northerners travelled to Perth without their Silver Fern defender Joline Henry, still nursing a nagging ankle injury, and coach Deb Fuller, staying in Auckland with her newborn baby. And the Fever had run two Kiwi teams close in their previous two matches.

It was the home side that gained control of the match first. Strong defence in the midcourt by the Fever put them out to a two-goal advantage early, with Leah Shoard confidently supporting Caitlin Bassett in the shooting duties.

The Mystics had more trouble feeding the ball to their gun shooter Cathrine Latu, with Susan Fuhrmann pouring on the pressure directly under the hoop. But with Maria Tutaia willing to put up her trademark long shots, the Mystics stayed in close contact.

Although Mystics levelled the scores just before the end of the quarter, the Fever drew ahead again, spurred by some gritty defence by goal defence Ama Agbeze, to lead 17-14.

Rachael Rasmussen entered the game at goal keep for Mystics – replacing the taller Jess Moulds - at the start of the second quarter and immediately made her mark. A nifty steal from her sister, Grace Rasmussen, at wing attack sparked another surge by the Mystics that cut the difference to one.

An asthmatic Agbeze was forced to leave the court and Jo Curran filled her shoes creditably, forcing the Mystics shooters into uncharacteristic miscues.

In spite of the increased pressure from Rachael Rasmussen and Anna Scarlett, Bassett and Shoard continued to shoot with precision, helped in no small way by the smart feeding of Sarah Ebbott and Shae Bolton. And in the same pattern as the previous quarter, the Fever made a late burst just before halftime to stretch out to 31-28.

Experienced head Megan Dehn slotted quickly into the Mystics’ side at wing attack after the break and the visitors scored the first three goals to again level the scores. But in a flash, the Fever capitalized on the Mystics’ midcourt handling errors, to score the next six consecutive goals.

Some shrewd defence by Mystics wing defence Kayla Cullen and Scarlett brought it back to within three just before three-quarter time.

Down 44-40, the Mystics returned to court with a new vigour that had been lacking in the previous quarters, inspired by captain George at centre. A stunning run of eight goals straight gave them a three-goal lead.

Andrea Gilmore put her body on the line to keep the Fever in the match, and levelheaded shooting by Bassett (who shot an admirable 41 from 44 for the match) locked up the scores again with four minutes left on the clock.

Despite an ankle injury, Rachael Rasmussen continued to make a nuisance of herself in the Fever circle – ending the game with three critical intercepts. Two key turnovers in the dying minutes ensured the historic Mystics victory.

 

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