Letton injury takes shine off latest Fever win

West Coast Fever celebrated their 100th ANZ Championship game with a 54-49 win over a plucky Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic at HBF Stadium today to continue their unbeaten start to the 2015 season.

But the win was soured by an ankle injury to defender April Letton, which sent a major scare through the camp.

Letton, who has been in outstanding form in her first season at Fever, went down clutching her right ankle in the third quarter and did not return to the court.

She faces a race against time to be fit for West Coast’s Perth Arena clash with Queensland Firebirds on Friday night.

Caitlin Bassett, who was also celebrating her 100th milestone, was uncharacteristically inaccurate with 39 goals from 54 attempts, with Nat Medhurst chipping in for 15.

Magic import Jo Harten was outstanding after quarter time to finish with 35 from 40.

Fever had a hot start as the Magic shooters struggled to take their opportunities, helping the home side to a 6-0 opening.

The visitors fought back as Harten started to find her range, but West Coast continued to win the ball off Waikato and got it down to Bassett, who was also shaky on the shot but still managed 12 for the term.

Magic injected Malia Paseka into goal attack in the second and pushed hard early, going on a four-goal run to move within three goals.

They continued to push hard and again got themselves within three goals, before Fever put their foot down and to go as many as eight goals ahead before ended an error-riddled final minute Harten to sink a long bomb to bring it back to a six-goal buffer at the half.

Both teams committed plenty of turnovers in the third, but Magic couldn’t make a dent in the West Coast lead, with Fever pushing it out to nine at the last change.

Erena Mikaere came into goal keeper and Janz-Dawson moved to goal defence when Letton went off with an ankle injury.

But in the final term, Janz-Dawson returned to goalkeeper and youngster Courtney Bruce got her chance at goal defence.

With Harten running hot, the visitors got with four goals in a tense fourth quarter, but Fever ultimately responded to take the crucial five-goal win and extend their unbeaten start to the season to nine matches.