By Charlotte Knoke
The Melbourne Vixens produced a strong fourth-quarter, winning by 1 goal against the West Coast Fever in the final seconds of the match. Winning the final quarter 21-19, the Vixens sealed the win with the slimmest of margins to remain undefeated at home this year.
Last time they met in round one of the 2023 season, the Fever snuck the win by one-goal, so the Vixens reciprocated in this round eight clash.
The two sides were goal-for-goal for the first few minutes of the game until Kate Eddy picked up a clean intercept for the Melbourne Vixens who capitalised. This was followed by their own centre pass which brought them out to a 2-goal lead (8-6).
The Vixens were moving with quick speed and looked confident moving down the court in attack.
Olivia Lewis picked up an intercept outside the circle and after some fumbles between Fever and Vixens players, Jo Weston gained possession for the home side, bringing them out to a 4-goal advantage (11-7).
West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan called a time-out right as the Power Five began to encourage his side to “endure the pressure” they were under from the Vixens defenders and start to build their own.
Sasha Glasgow landed a supershot for the Fever, reducing the deficit, and then Courtney Bruce picked up an intercept at the other end of the court, giving the visitors possession once again. Glasgow then sunk yet another supershot, closing the gap and bringing the scoreline back to even.
A held ball from Alice Teague-Neeld caused a turnover and Kumwenda converted for the home side. This meant that the Vixens headed into the second quarter leading by 2-goals (18-16).
The Vixens and the Fever remained goal-for-goal for the first half of the second quarter. But finally a fantastic defensive effort from Kate Moloney gave her possession and caused a turnover. The Vixens then capitalised, increasing their lead out to 4 goals (28-24).
Kim Jenner entered the court at wing defence for the Fever, and Jess Anstiss moved into centre, sending Verity Simmons to the bench.
Glasgow scored a supershot for the Fever almost as soon as the Power Five began, reducing the deficit back to 2 goals (30-28). Glasgow sank another few supershots and the two sides were back to even.
An offside call against the Vixens gave the visitors possession but a crucial intercept from Austin meant the ball was back in the hands of the Vixens.
Mwai Kumwenda scored a supershot right on the half-time buzzer and the Vixens headed into the second half up by 2 goals (37-35).
Both the Vixens and the Fever maintained the same line-ups following the half-time break.
Almost immediately, Anstiss picked up ball for the Fever and they converted. With their own centre pass to follow, the visitors were able to bring the score back to even (38-38).
Some uncharacteristic errors from the Fever - misplaced passes and feeds into the circle, gave the Vixens the opportunity to pick up possession. But a bit of back-and-forth between both sides down the court ultimately meant scores stayed levelled.
The pace seemed to have really slowed down for both teams during the third quarter, and both the Vixens and the Fever seemed to be looking quite clunky on court.
Rudi Ellis came onto the court for the Fever in goal keeper, pushing Bruce out to goal defence and Sunday Aryang moving to the bench.
Glasgow missed a few supershots before finally landing one for the Fever, bringing them out to a 2-goal lead (51-49).
Kumwenda scored a supershot right on the third-quarter time buzzer, but the Fever led 54-53 heading into the final quarter.
There seemed to be a bit of hesitation in attack for the Fever to start the final quarter, but they eventually found their rhythm after a few minutes.
The two sides were once again goal-for-goal for much of the fourth quarter, showcasing just how close this game was.
Glasgow fumbled a ball out of court over the sideline, giving the home side possession. The Vixens capitalised through Kumwenda and brought the game back to level (64-64).
Fever coach Dan Ryan called a time-out before the Power Five in every single quarter of the game, trying to prepare his team for the final five minutes.
A turnover was caused by Teague-Neeld and the Vixens were able to score and create a 3-goal lead for themselves (69-66).
The match really came down to the supershot, as Fowler scored two supershots for the Fever, just her second and third for the season. This brought the game back to level.
A footwork call against Anstiss gave the Vixens possession but Aryang picked up an intercept which Glasgow converted through a supershot.
Austin scored a supershot of her own right on the buzzer, and the Vixens were able to seal the win by just 1 goal (74-73).
