The Giants were in control for much of the contest except for a period in the second quarter where Fever turned it on, as they produced five supershots to reduce the margin to one goal at the main break.
Fever will take a number of positives out of the two matches in Ballarat, in particular of the shooting prowess of youngster Olivia Wilkinson, the combination of Kelsey Browne and Alice Teague-Neeld and the defensive pressure of Sunday Aryang, Fran Williams and Kadie-Ann Dehaney.
Q1: Fever 12 Giants 19
The Giants jumped out of the blocks and controlled much of the first quarter.
Fever star Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard was forced from the court midway through the quarter with an eye injury with Wilkinson replacing her at Goal Shooter.
The Giants led by three at the beginning of the Power 5 and were able to capitalise and extend their lead with both Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer scoring two-point shots.
Q2: Fever 36 Giants 37
The Giants started the quarter strongly to extend the margin to nine goals midway through the quarter.
Fowler-Nembhard returned to the court midway through the quarter and showed no affects from the eye injury as Fever immediately lifted with the superstar scoring twice in 40 seconds.
The combination of Browne at Centre and Teague-Neeld at Wing Attack provided speed and great delivery to the goalers as Fever reduced the Giants lead.
Trailing by six at the start of Power 5, Wilkinson (three supershots) and Fowler-Nembhard (two supershots) outshot the Giants (three supershots) to go into the main break down by just one goal.
Q3: Fever 53 Giants 56
The teams traded goals for much of the beginning of the third quarter before Fever were able to take control and hit the lead for the first time midway through the quarter.
Heading into the supershot period, Fever held a two-goal lead but it was the Giants who took advantage of the two-shot period.
Dwyer scored three including one on the buzzer and Harten added one as they headed into the final term with a three-goal advantage.
Q4: Fever 66 Giants 71
The Giants started the quarter with the first goals to extend their lead to six goals to make the task difficult for Fever.
Williams and Aryang stepped up in defence creating turnover opportunities however, Giants recruit Jodie-Ann Ward was matching their play at the other end.
Fever were able to shorten the lead to three goals by the start of the Power 5 but another supershot from Dwyer put the Giants in front by five and that is where the margin remained.
Fever will now turn their attention to next weekend’s Team Girls Cup at Ken Rosewell Arena in Sydney with every match, live and free on Kayo Freebies.
