The Go Media Stars showed heart and hustle but were outpaced by Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse, going down 65-44 in Wellington.
In a physical battle from start to finish, the match was overshadowed by a concerning injury to Pulse defender Parris Mason, who was taken to hospital in a neck brace following a heavy fall during the second quarter. Our thoughts are with Parris and we wish her a speedy and full recovery.
Despite being ruled out of the finals, the Stars were determined to make life difficult for the Pulse and mounted a strong second-quarter comeback with an eight-goal run to draw the teams even. The Stars won the quarter by four and showed their trademark resilience, with captain Maia Wilson leading from the front, shooting at 92% accuracy, and debutant Crystal Maro stepping up once again in the attack end.
The centre court battle between Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Pulse’s Gabi Simpson was fierce, and Lili Tokaduadua continued to grow in her role in the defensive circle. Injuries and tough personal challenges have tested the squad all season, but the Stars continued to fight for every ball.
While the Pulse finished strong with a dominant final quarter, the Stars remained competitive through much of the match, showing glimpses of the energy and effort that define the team.
Next up, the Stars head to Invercargill for their final game of the season to face the Steel.
