The Be Active Western Stars have booked their place in the 2013 Championships game with a 48-32 win over Victoria.

It was the Stars defence that got it done for them. They were relentless forcing 12 turnovers in the first half alone; Amanda Nott leading the Stars offence early with 12 first half points.

For Victoria it was Alice Hammond trying her best to keep the navy blues in touch, leading her team’s scoring with 6 points next to her name by half time. Victoria just did not have an answer for the Stars press. Managing just 14 first half shots compared to the Stars 35, Victoria were going to have to chase down a 16 point deficit in the second half.

With the first 8 points of the third quarter going to Victoria there would have been a few nervous Perth supporters in the crowd. Leanne Del Toso continued to battle hard finishing the game with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists but still had their offence strangled by a tough Stars defence.

Amber Merritt finished with 25 points but Amanda Nott’s 14 points and 11 rebounds was probably the match winner. The Stars actually shot the ball at a worse percentage than Victoria but finished the game with 25 more shots attempted which was the difference in the end.

Victoria will now face the Sydney Uni Flames at 10am tomorrow morning in the bronze medal game while the Stars will be back to face the Stacks Goudkamp Bears at 12noon in the game that will decide our 2013 champions.

Photo Courtesy of illiView - Maxwell Illingworth