By Chloe Pilkington
The Melbourne Vixens have produced a stellar second half surge to take a 72-60 win over the Queensland Firebirds at John Cain Arena.
The home team started in confident form, with a quick goal off the hands of Mwai Kumwenda kicking off the opening match of Round 7.
The Firebirds’ defence line impressed early as Ruby Bakewell-Doran wreaked havoc with a tip to the ball and was rewarded down the other end with 2 consecutive goals to the away side.
Going goal-for-goal early, the defensive pressure of Emily Mannix and Olivia Lewis caused a turnover but both Vixens' shooters couldn’t capitalise, and the Firebirds were quick to get the ball back in their hands.
Firebirds’ attack end confidently sent high release passes into Donnell Wallam under the post. The Firebirds' GS finished the game with an impressive 53/58 goals to her name.
Wallam was called with a held ball as the Firebirds were smothered by the Vixens’ defence. The home side were quick to get the ball down the other end with an easy full-court transition and took a 2-goal lead (6-4).
Emily Moore impressed in the opening quarter, sending pin-point passes into Wallam and finished the game with 18 goal assists and 22 feeds.
As the home side led by 3 (12-9), Vixens’ coach Simone McKinnis called a tactical timeout seconds before the first Power-5 of the match began.
Kiera Austin’s first Super Shot attempt was brilliantly rejected by Remi Kamo and the Firebirds were quick to get the ball into the hands of Wallam who sunk a stellar Super Shot, as the Firebirds took the lead for the first time of the game (14-15).
With a minute left of the opening quarter, Kumwenda drained a Super Shot and the Vixens went into quarter time with a 2-goal lead (17-15).
The Firebirds came out firing in the second quarter, with Kamo coming up with an early turnover for her side.
An uncharacteristic breaking call against Lara Dunkley was punished by the Vixens as they stretched their lead out to 21-17.
Bakewell-Doran caused a crucial turnover as the momentum shifted into the Firebirds’ favour.
A held ball against Austin was forced by the strong defensive hands of Kamo, but Mannix’s cross-court defence made it difficult for the Firebirds’ attack end to get the ball into their goal circle.
The Firebirds took the lead (23-24) after an attacking contact by Vixens’ co-captain Liz Watson.
A missed goal by Emily Moore was picked up by Olivia Lewis as she hustled hard for the rebound.
Austin was found home alone under the post after a stellar pass by Kumwenda but the GA was unable to sink a goal and the Firebirds capitalised, keeping the score level (26-26).
Kumwenda attempted a Super Shot but was unable to find the middle of the ring and Kamo came up with another huge rebound. Stower rewarded down the other end with a 2-pointer and the Firebirds took a 3-goal lead (27-30).
The Firebirds finished the second quarter strong, leading the home side 27-32.
Vixens used the full width of their bench in the third quarter, bringing Hannah Mundy into the game at WA and Jo Weston moving into GD.
As the home side trailed 33-42, Olivia Lewis came up a stellar intercept to keep her team in the game. Lewis was rightfully named player-of-the-match, finishing the game with 4 rebounds and 2 deflections.
Austin drained an all-important Super Shot bringing the Vixens' deficit back to 4 (41-45).
After an impressive fight back, Vixens went into the final quarter leading by 1 (47-46) off the hands of Mwai Kumwenda.
The determined home side kept momentum going into the final quarter, with Lewis coming up with another tip as the Firebirds struggled to get the ball into Wallam.
The Vixens were able to push the score line to 56-50 after a replay ball off the hands of Stower.
As the Vixens surged ahead early in the fourth quarter, a tactical timeout was called by the Firebirds, but the away side unravelled under the defensive pressure of the Vixens.
Wallam was forced to take Super Shots as her team trailed 71-58.
The Vixens finished strong after a dominant second half surge, defeating the Firebirds 72-60 in front of their home crowd.
