Koenen stars as Lightning thrash struggling Giants
Sunshine Coast Lightning have brought the Giants crashing back to earth, with star goal shooter Cara Koenen producing a career-best display in a 74-56 Super Netball win at UniSC Arena.
Koenen scored a career-high 56 goals from 62 attempts in Sunday's match to help lead her team to the comprehensive victory.
The Giants committed a whopping 25 turnovers - including 10 alone from goal attack Sophie Dwyer - as the Lightning made them pay.
It was 62-40 by three-quarter time before the Lightning eased up in the final quarter.
The result improved Sunshine Coast's record to 3-2, while the Giants are 1-4 and equal bottom of the ladder alongside the Melbourne Mavericks.
The tip and the back up 🔥Watch every game live on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge. pic.twitter.com/aYkbyDJf2R— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) May 11, 2025
Sunday's result was all the more disappointing for the Giants given they had upset defending champions Adelaide 64-63 a week earlier.
"We had a disappointing loss last week in the West (against the Fever). I'm proud of what we put out on court today," Koenen told Fox Sports.
"It (the win) was all down to work rate. There were repeated efforts every time.
"Our defensive end has been doing an amazing job, so we (the attackers) are just looking to convert on our end."
After a relatively even first quarter, the Giants went to the first break only down by three goals.
The Lightning's lead stretched to nine by half-time, but it was the third quarter that really broke the Giants' spirit.
Buoyed by Koenen's hot hand, the Lightning won the quarter 23-10 to put the contest to bed.
Giants shooter Matisse Letherbarrow ended the match with six Super Shots to her name from eight attempts in an impressive display.
But the Giants' numerous turnovers meant no amount of hot shooting could save them.
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