Official Result: APH Southern Steel (64) def CP Magic (54)

Official Result & Statistics

Official Result: Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel (64) def Cold Power Magic (54)

• Steel maintain winning momentum

• Steel shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid nets 55 goals in an MVP performance

• Steel end Magic’s five-match winning run

The A 64-54 win by the high-flying Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel brought an abrupt halt to the five-match winning streak by Cold Power Magic in Invercargill on Sunday.

Steel continued their unbeaten run this season in confident and emphatic fashion in the match-up between New Zealand’s top two teams.

With both teams having already secured their places in the New Zealand Conference Finals, the Steel delivered a masterclass, spearheaded by their influential shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid. The towering Jamaican with another telling contribution of 55 goals, to earn the MVP award.

The home team sent an early message, starting proceedings at a cracking pace and delivering a flurry of goals in a fast-scoring opening stanza which effectively knocked the wind out of the Magic’s sails for the rest of the match.

With their confidence running high, the Steel clicked into their familiar groove from the first whistle.

Midcourters Shannon Francois and Gina Crampton continued their strong form with a steady stream of ball to sharp shooter Fowler-Reid.

At the other end, defenders Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Jane Watson did their bit, getting their hands on a number of turnover gains, the early dominance leading to an 18-12 lead at the first break.

It was more of the same on the resumption, Fowler-Reid continuing to dominate under the hoop, through both her conversion rate and ability to regather rebounds.

The Magic could make little impression against the clinically efficient and well-drilled home team, and were often bustled into error and punished on the scoreboard. Shooter Joanne Harten did her bit with the ball in hand but a withering late burst of seven straight goals pushed the Steel out to a healthy 37-25 lead at the main break.

The Magic produced their best efforts in a drawn third quarter where hard-working captain Leana de Bruin picked off some rare turnovers. It ensured the Steel were held in check momentarily but there was little respite in the ball heading Fowler-Reid’s way.

Impressive Steel captain Wendy Frew led by example, linking the attack and defensive ends with calm efficiency in guiding her team to a decisive 51-39 lead at three-quarter time.

Steel Shooting Statistics
Jhaniele Fowler-Reid 55/61 (90%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit 9/15 (60%)

Magic Shooting Statistics
Paula Griffin 16/21 (76%)
Joanne Harten 37/45 (82%)
Ellen Halpenny 1/6 (17%)

MVP: Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (Steel)

ENDS

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