The West Coast Fever reclaimed third place in the Australian conference after posting a decisive 63-51 win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Adelaide on Sunday.
Coming off two losses and a bye in the last three weeks, the Fever were in must-win territory in the race to seal a spot in the conference finals. Once into their groove, there was no stopping the visitors who held the edge in most facets.
The Thunderbirds competed with determination but were once again let down by a poor opening quarter and left to chase the game.
Well placed on the scoreboard throughout, the Fever had the luxury of running some of their bench down the home straight.
With shooter Carla Borrego ruled out with a knee injury, captain Erin Bell took over the goal shooter’s bib while Stephanie Puopolo lined up at goal attack. At the other end, the 1.90m defender Sarah Klau got the nod at goalkeeper.
The Fever overcame a scrappy start, finding their touch with a storming finish to the first quarter with a nine-goal unanswered streak.
Strong at both ends with shooter Caitlin Bassett, who delivered a season-high 50 goals, and ever-improving defender Courtney Bruce highlighting their dominance, the Fever shot out to an impressive 15-6 lead at the first break.
Bell spearheaded an encouraging fightback from the home team on the resumption. With Madeleine Proud moving into centre and Khao Watts to wing attack, the Thunderbirds found more flow on attack and with it momentum.
Bell, the smallest figure in the circle, found her target with a succession of long range goals as the Thunderbirds went goal-for-goal with their opponents, ensuring the lead did not blow out.
With Josie Janz-Dawson replacing an injured Bruce just before halftime, the Fever maintained their hold on the match when leading 31-21 at the main break.
Heavily involved during the third stanza, playmaker Natalie Medhurst sparked a strong spell for the Fever as they opened the game up and extended out to an 18-goal lead.
The introduction of Kristina Brice at goal shoot for the Thunderbirds helped restrict the damage, but the supply of ball reaching the reliable hands of Bassett, who shot 14 from 14 during the stanza, left the visitors well in control when leading 48-35 at the last break.
