This win comes on the heels of a crucial one-point triumph over the Central Pulse, solidifying the Steel’s playoff aspirations with two more round-robin matches to go. With this victory, they have climbed to third place in the standings, displacing the Pulse temporarily.
Heffernan’s partnership with sharpshooter Aliyah Dunn has been instrumental in her standout season. She contributed 21 points, including a rare two-pointer, and two gains, while Dunn added 43 points to the scoreboard. Kimiora Poi’s exceptional play in the midcourt provided stability with 50 feeds.
The Steel’s collective effort was evident as they maintained their lead throughout the game, although they let the Magic make a late surge in the final quarter. Despite this, the Steel’s strong start, led by Kate Heffernan’s interception, set the tone for the match.
The Magic’s defensive strategy initially posed a challenge, but the Steel’s patience and precision eventually broke through. Poi’s distribution to Dunn was a key factor in their success, as they built a solid lead heading into halftime.
The Steel continued to control the game in the second half, with Dunn’s dominance in the circle and Heffernan’s defensive prowess keeping the Magic at bay. Despite a late push from the Magic, the Steel held on for a convincing victory.
Overall, it was a resilient performance from the Steel, highlighted by Heffernan’s standout plays and the team’s cohesive effort on both ends of the court. As they look ahead to their remaining matches, the Steel will be aiming to maintain their winning streak and secure a spot in the playoffs.
