NMMU-Madibaz edged UJ 52-50 in a dramatic Round Five encounter that saw the lead exchange hands on numerous occasions in Pretoria on Monday.
UJ seemed to be staring another loss in the face but came back strongly in the final two quarters to grab the lead but a late surge by the Port Elizabeth ladies helped them get over the line for the bonus point victory.
The match got off to a cagey affair with NMMU holding a very slender 5-4 lead after the opening seven minutes but the Port Elizabeth ladies managed to put more daylight between the teams as they led 11-8 at the end of the first quarter.
The Madibaz took the score to 14-11 before they called for the first powerplay of the match but they only managed to add 2 scores and conceded one as they led 18-13 with eight minutes remaining in the quarter.
UJ could have grabbed the lead in the latter stages of the quarter but were wasteful and failed to take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities, however, they still managed to outscore their opponents and reduce the deficit to 21-23 at the half-time interval.
The Madibaz managed to increase their lead to 31-28 with nine minutes remaining in the quarter but UJ rallied to draw level with six minutes remaining. UJ took the lead and immediately called for the powerplay but the deficit remained a solitary point with two minutes remaining in the quarter.
The lead changed hands once again in the final minute of the quarter and the Madibaz were able to hang onto a 40-39 at the end of the third quarter.
The Johannesburg ladies were able to level matters once again at 45-all with eight minutes remaining in the match before the Madibaz stole the lead by a solitary point with four minutes remaining.
Both sides managed to secure their bonus point by passing the magic 50-point marker and just when it seemed as the match was destined for a draw, the Madibaz dug deep to clinch the narrow victory.
FNB Player of the Match: Mione Marais (NMMU-Madibaz)
Teams:
NMMU-Madibaz: Kara Willemse (GS), Bavuyise Motyumza (GA), Mione Marais (WA), Arne Rust (C), Eloise Webb (WD), Nobubele Phuza (GD), Hlumisa Sithonga (GK).
Replacements: Danielle Hofstetter, Philene van Niekerk, Nolusindiso Twani, Sanelise Mgijima, Nandipha Jack.
UJ: Deancke Rohde (GS), Kim-Roche Holmes (GA), Kylie Jardine (WA), Angelique Molefe (C), Halala Nxumalo (WD), Jodie Brown (GD), Kendra Szeles (GK).
Replacements: Ntombizodwa Yengwa, Christell Botha, Karabo Mokoena, Tanya Liechterkost, Nomphumelelo Mbonambi.
