A strong second half enabled the Sunshine Coast Lightning to claim a comprehensive win over the Southern Steel last night.
The Australian defending champion claimed its second win in as many days, this time by 64-39 in Invercargill.
The Lightning pulled away in the third quarter. After leading 26-23 at halftime, the visiting side won the third quarter 19-8, taking a 14-goal lead into the final break.
It extended that again in the final period, pouring in another 19 goals and again holding the Steel to eight.
The Steel had made clear it was as much about the hit-out as the result and indeed it got all its players on the court. That included its training partners and several from its extended squad.
Early on, the Steel had the upper hand and took a 15-13 lead into the first break.
The Lightning won the first game in Dunedin on Thursday night, 50-46.
The ANZ Premiership begins on May 6, when the Steel opens its title defence against the Northern Mystics in Palmerston North, as part of a Super Sunday.
It plays the Central Pulse in the same venue a day later.
