By Caitin Greenwood
West Coast Fever have extended their unbeaten run to five with a composed and clinical 75–66 victory over the GIANTS at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Fever asserted early dominance in the opening quarter, racing to a four-goal lead within minutes as the GIANTS missed two early opportunities.
Defensive pressure from Sunday Aryang and Fran Williams forced the GIANTS wide, disrupting their attacking flow and silencing the home side for the first five minutes.
Fever shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard was clinical, netting her 12th goal of the quarter to reach a historic 9000 national league goals.
With Jo Harten subbed off late and youngster Matisse Letherbarrow stepping in, the GIANTS showed some late fight, including a super shot to close the quarter.
However, it was all Fever, who shot a perfect 21 from 21 to lead by eight at the first break.
The GIANTS responded strongly in the second term, coming out with renewed energy and a reshuffled lineup that started to trouble the Fever. Maddie Hay made an impact at wing attack, combining well with Letherbarrow, who continued to hold her own under the post.
The two sides traded goals early, locked at 10-all before Fever coach Dan Ryan called a tactical timeout in a bid to halt the GIANTS’ momentum. Erin O’Brien’s defensive pressure on Shanice Beckford disrupted Fever’s attacking flow, and the GIANTS began to find their rhythm.
Despite an injury concern as Hay left the court late in the quarter accompanied by medical staff, the GIANTS surged.
Fever’s defensive pressure remained strong, compacting the GIANTS attack, but Letherbarrow was electric from range.
GIANTS won the quarter 22-18, cutting Fever’s lead to just four goals at halftime.
The GIANTS continued their surge in the third term, drawing level with the Fever as the momentum from their second-quarter fightback carried on. Fowler-Nembhard produced some rare misses, allowing the GIANTS to close the gap. Spurred on by a vocal Ken Rosewall Arena crowd, the home side had the Fever on the back foot.
The GIANTS’ intensity was momentarily dampened by a injury to Jodi-Ann Ward, who left the court clutching her knee, paving the way for Aimee Landrigan to become GIANT number 36 on debut.
Matisse Letherbarrow was dominate under the post for the GIANTS.However, Fever regrouped late in the quarter, with Liv Wilkinson landing back-to-back super shots and Fowler-Nembhard responding with two more goals to swing the momentum back their way.
A few untimely errors from the GIANTS saw the visitors edge back in front, holding a five-goal lead heading into the final quarter, with Fowler-Nembhard sitting on an imposing 50 goals from 52 attempts.
Despite a brave return to the court from Ward, heavily strapped after a third-quarter injury, the GIANTS couldn’t halt Fever’s late surge. The visitors expertly slowed the tempo, methodically converting their chances.
Ward’s return was short-lived, eventually making way for debutant Landrigan once again. O’Brien continued to battle hard in defence, but cracks began to show for the GIANTS as Fever’s composure and efficiency took over.
Coach Julie Fitzgerald called a tactical timeout ahead of the power five in a last-ditch effort to shift momentum, but unforced errors continued to haunt the GIANTS. With Fever pulling ahead by nine goals with just over three minutes remaining, the final term slipped away from the home side.
Fever coach Dan Ryan was full of praise for his star shooter after Fowler-Nembhard set a new league benchmark.
“She’s amazing,” said Ryan.
“The way she’s come back this season and what she brings to our team. Her leadership, her presence, her dominance, her spirit - it’s just incredible. We’re truly privileged to have her.
This is just another record to add to the long list she already holds. She genuinely is one of the greatest this sport has ever seen, and we’re so proud of everything she’s achieved and continues to do.”
Reflecting on the game as a whole, Ryan acknowledged the challenge posed by the GIANTS and the resilience his side showed to close it out.
“We had some important surges late in the third and key moments in the fourth where we managed to get a bit of control. It was a tough battle, and we had to keep finding different ways to impact and win in the end.
"I’m really proud of the girls for stepping up when it mattered most.”
