Mystics So Close Against Champions

 A couple of tough decisions by the referee’s and a couple of loose passes were the difference between the LG Mystics and the New South Wales Swifts on Monday night in Sydney.

The home team and defending champions managed a 59-55 victory over the Mystics but it was a much improved performance throughout including a dramatic fightback to be 54-55 down with 2min 57sec left.
Mystics captain Temepara George felt her team was close to breaking the duck of Kiwi teams on Aussie soil with just some stray passes the major problem.

"The Swifts are really hard but we didn't have that in our minds when we came over. New Zealand's got huge strength throughout their teams, it's just a matter of the consistency. The Aussies have got that mental toughness too, not just one or two players but the whole team who think like that, even the bench players.
"That's something the Kiwi teams are working on, and it's kind of showing in patches but it needs to be more consistent. "

George, herself had one of her better games of the competition so far, but it was the improved shooting stats which were noticeable. Cathrine Latu shot an impressive 38 from 40 for 95% while Grace Rasmussen started the game as goal attack and compiled seven out of eight shots for 88% while Pamela Cookey came on at the second half and gained 10 out of 10.

The Swifts led 33-27 at halftime and got home with the experienced heads of their international shooting duo Catherine Cox (29 from 33) and Susan Pratley (30 from 34).

Defender Rachel Rasmussen also gained court time and fresh legs to replace Vili Davu who had given Cox and Pratley a torrid time. In the mid court Kimberlee Green and George had a tough battle while Ra Everitt grew into her role at centre.

“Just a couple of passes was all it took and against a well-drilled Swifts team you can't afford it,” said George.

The next home game for the Mystics is against the Central Pulse next Monday 4 May in Wellington.