Melbourne Vixens held their composure throughout a tense closing quarter to grind out a hard-fought 62-57 victory over the Giants and maintain the Sydneysiders winless after three rounds.
The Giants returned to Melbourne’s John Cain Area for the primary time since final season’s heartbreaking preliminary closing loss when the Vixens got here again from 9 targets down within the closing quarter to grab a well-known 55-54 victory.
With scores tied at 57-57 coming into the final 5 minutes of Sunday’s recreation, the house aspect performed with larger composure within the closing levels to close out the Giants and safe their second win of the season.
The end result caps an eventful begin to the marketing campaign for the Vixens with final season’s grand finalists dropping a one-goal thriller to West Coast Fever in spherical one earlier than they had been the beneficiaries of an officiating error in a dramatic comeback victory over cross-town rivals Collingwood .
Captain Liz Watson revealed Melbourne’s concentrate on retaining possession for lengthy stretches throughout coaching paid dividends towards the Giants in crunch time.
“Simply take a look at our final two video games, there have been most likely alternatives after we might have (held the ball) however we wish to maintain attacking and maintain scoring,” Watson instructed Fox Sports activities.
“I believe we had been actually sensible ultimately to attain after we wanted to attain and maintain the ball after we wanted to.”
The Vixens capitalized on 5 unforced turnovers from the Giants within the opening quarter to edge forward 15-12 with Watson offering slick service to final week’s match winner Mwai Kumwenda within the aim circle.
Melbourne continued to construct on their early benefit, skipping out to a seven-goal lead approaching halftime, however the exterior capturing prowess of Sophie Dwyer and Jo Harten got here to the fore because the Giants pair added 4 two-point Tremendous pictures to trim the Vixens. result in one.
Buoyed by their quick end to the opening half, the Giants seemed sharper within the third interval and with Jamie-Lee Worth appearing because the driving pressure in midcourt, the guests surged forward by 5 targets close to the top of the quarter.
However Kumwenda struck again with two Tremendous pictures of her personal and Kiera Austin added one other because the Vixens leveled the scores at 47-47 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Vixens now put together to face the Sunshine Coast Lightning at residence on Saturday night time whereas the Giants journey to Adelaide for a must-win conflict towards the Thunderbirds on Sunday.
