Silver Ferns first Comm Games gold since 2010
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The Silver Ferns have erased horrific Commonwealth Games memories with their stirring triumph in Glasgow beating Jamaica 56 - 48 for gold
The last triumph was in 2010, when they beat Australia in double overtime final, to find the last New Zealand Games triumph.
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In 2014 New Zealand beat England by a solitary goal in the semis, and were then thumped by 18 goals by Australia in the final.
In 2018, New Zealand lost to England and Malawi in pool play, limped into the semis on goal differential, then were beaten by 21 by Australia and 15 by Jamaica.
At Birmingham four years ago, New Zealand lost to England in pool play and to Jamaica by 16 in the semis.
The Karin Berger captain New Zealand side led 16-13 at quarter-time while Jamaica did get within one early in the second quarter, before New Zealand broke back to take a three-goal lead again and maintained that margin into half time (28-25).
One change came after the break, when Kimiora Poi replaced Maddy Gordon at wing attack as Jamaica forced their way back to 33-33 near the end of the third quarter.
After that, coach Noeline Taurua's team refocused and stretched the lead to 41-34 by three-quarter-time.
There was an urgency about New Zealand's passing and the way they drove through the court that hasn't always been there in recent years.
The Jamaicans deserve credit for fighting their way back to parity after it seemed before halftime they were about to crumble. Further, they did well to regroup for the final after their emotional one-goal win over Australia the day before.
Grace Nweke was solid in the shooting circle with 48 goals from 54 attempts while Georgia Heffernan was successful with eight from nine. For Jamaica Romelda Aiken scored 32 from 36 attempts.
In the bronze medal play-off Australia beat England comfortably.