Last gasp win for Vixens

Monday, 23 April 2012

After winning their opening three games on the road, the Vixens had to fight to the finish for a 40-39 victory over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, in their first home game this season at Hisense Arena.

With the Magic controlling the first three quarters, Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg tried to swing the momentum in the match, at times changing both her defensive and attacking combinations but could not find the mix to stop the Magic's attack.  In the final term, Hoornweg returned to her starting line up and the Vixens steadily worked their way back into the game.

After being benched midway through the second quarter, Tegan Caldwell returned to the court in the final quarter and played a pivotal role.  With the very vocal crowd urging the Vixens towards victory, the Magic succumbed to the Vixens’ pressure and with 17 seconds remaining Caldwell's 17^th goal of the match was decisive, giving the Vixens the slenderest of leads which they held till the siren.  The Vixens have now made it four wins from as many matches, and they are the only undefeated side in the ANZ Championship 2012.

The table-topping Vixens meet the Queensland Firebirds in Melbourne next Sunday.