Tensions, and then emotions, were running high at ASB Arena on Monday night as the KIA Magic secured the third seed in the ANZ Championship playoffs with a 68-40 win over the Northern Mystics.
The Magic needed to beat the Mystics by 25 or more goals in departing coach Noeline Taurua's final game in the regular season to secure a home playoff match, and the Silver Ferns-laden home side did not disappoint.
Taurua, the most successful coach in the six-year history of the ANZ Championship, fought back tears when her 127th game in charge was followed by a presentation by long-time mentor Taini Jamison, OBE, of Rotorua.
"I'm trying not to cry, it's quite emotional," said a relieved Taurua.
"All of a sudden it's nearly coming to an end, and when I think about it, it's been two months since I said I wouldn't be with the Magic anymore, so I think as we go along it's going to hit a little bit.
"In saying that, it's all about living in the moments that we are together and we know that we are guaranteed another week."
Taurua was unhappy with aspects of the Magic's performance - most notably a sloppy first half - but was already looking ahead to Sunday's clash with the Queensland Firebirds at Claudelands Arena.
"We will grind and be prepared to fight. We'll train hard and play hard and whatever happens is going to happen.
"We've got to keep it simple and use the advantage of home court in Hamilton and make sure that we are there and we are up.
"We are very realistic about things and the performance was not so good at times - especially in that first half - I think we got a lot of ball and weren't able to execute.
"Mentally, at times, we were a little bit off tune, and that's something that we have to address. In saying that, that second half was mammoth and to be able to click like that is pleasing.
"We know our standards, and I can't sit back and look at things when it's not good, and they know that. It doesn't take much for them to look at it themselves and be able to get out there and perform. In saying that I'm really wrapped. We're third on the table and that's huge for us."
Casey Kopua, again a tower of strength in defence, reiterated how much is at stake for the defending champions.
"It's good to be at home, it's another trip we don't have to do. But we definitely need to step it up from this game," she said.
"Obviously we knew that we weren't playing how we should have been. We did get a kick in the pants, which is what we needed, but it shouldn't take a kick in the pants from Noeline for us to be able to react."
The prospect of the Magic's remarkable run coming to an end with the departure of Taurua and a number of senior players adds extra motivation as the team strive for back-to-back championships.
"She does [add extra motivation], and at the end of the season you don't know if us 12 girls are going to be together as well," said Kopua.
"We make the most of it. I try not to think about it because it gets quite upsetting, but we are looking forward to the next three or four weeks."