NSW Swifts continue unbeaten start to the year with crushing win over Fever
The NSW Swifts have kept their unbeaten start to the Super Netball season intact with an 80-66 victory over struggling West Coast Fever.
The Swifts overcame a slow start at Quaycentre on Sunday to ease to their third-straight win, joining the Melbourne Vixens as the only sides yet to taste defeat this season.
Sam Wallace backed up last week's perfect 31-goal effort with 62 goals from 66 attempts while Helen Housby (18 goals, 14 assists) was pivotal in the Swifts' strong finish as they outscored West Coast 43-29 after halftime.
Hard working duo Maddy Proud and Paige Hadley wore down the Fever in midcourt as they combined for 58 goal assists.
"It feels really good, I know that Fever is a great team ," Wallace said after the Swifts equalled the single-game goal scoring record in the win.
The Swifts continued their outstanding start to the season AAP
"It's really kudos to us for actually pushing on to get that score."
Desperate to atone for last week's heavy defeat at home to the Sunshine Coast Lightning, the Fever built a seven-goal lead in the second quarter but a quick burst from the home side ensured honours were even at halftime.
But last season's grand finalists collapsed in the second half as they coughed up 21 turnovers to remain winless after three rounds.
The loss of captain and Diamonds defender Courtney Bruce to an elbow injury has proved costly for the Fever, who have conceded a competition-record 80 goals for the second week in a row.
Prolific shooter Jhaniele Fowler tallied her 1000th Super Netball goal late in the first quarter, the 198cm Jamaican reaching the milestone in just her second season with the Fever.
Swifts star Sam Wallace continued her dominant start to the season AAP
The Fever broke away late in a tight opening quarter, a run of five unanswered goals ensuring the visitors collected the first bonus point with a 19-15 lead.
That advantage extended to seven early in the second term with goal attack Kaylia Stanton finding her shooting stroke but a pair of turnovers quickly handed momentum back to the Swifts.
The Fever steadied but a Wallace goal on the stroke of halftime levelled the scores 37-37.
The Swifts then took control of the contest with a dominant 20-14 third quarter before running away with the match in the final stanza.
The Swifts will look to keep their unbeaten start going against the defending champion Lightning on Saturday while the Fever will host the in-form Vixens.