The Northern Stars have finished their season in style with a controlled 65-59 win over the Southern Steel in Auckland today.
Steel shooter Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit shoots over Stars defender Kate Burley Photo: Photosport
Shooters Maia Wilson and Paula Griffin shot 93 and 92 percent respectively, their supply of ball boosted by impressive work from promising young goalkeeper Kate Burley in grabbing vital turnovers at the other end.
In a close, entertaining match, the Stars showed greater urgency and hunger down the home straight, leaving the Steel plenty of food for thought heading into the knockout phase.
The Steel now host the elimination final on August 8, where they will be hoping for a boost from the return of key shooter Jen O'Connell, who missed Sunday's match with an ear complaint.
Both sides produced a lively first quarter, with the scores level at 15-15 at the first break.
The Steel made a slick start on the resumption, in-form wing attack Gina Crampton helping the Steel shine with their fluency, ball movement and length on attack and the southerners took a 31-28 lead into the main break.
The Stars lifted their defensive intensity in the third quarter, with Burley and Ama Agbeze invaluable in helping shut down the volume of ball reaching shooter Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.
With Griffin on song in the shooting circle, the Stars took a 48-46 lead into the last spell and extended their lead with a solid 17-13 final 15 minutes.
-RNZ
