With Pulse standouts Ameliaranne Ekenasio (nursing an ankle injury sustained earlier in the clash), Kelly Jury and Claire Kersten all getting some rest in the final quarter, the Mystics found a foothold to reduce the deficit in what was by all intents and purposes a consolation second half, but there was no doubt left about the runaway favourites to win the title.
A mere look at the competition goal difference so far this season confirms as much. The Pulse have a commanding +80 goal difference, while the Mystics are the only other team with a positive differential, at a meagre +10.
The Mystics' 5-3 record is still good enough for second on the ladder, ahead of the Northern Stars (3-4-1) and Mainland Tactix (3-3-1), but with seven games still to play, there is no certainty about their status as potential contenders, especially considering the lack of production coming from the goal attack position.
While star goal shoot Grace Nweke struggled early on, being penalised regularly and having limited attempts, she got literally no scoring help from goal attacks Saviour Tui and Asher Grapes, with the duo remarkably not even attempting a single shot until Tui slotted a goal with three minutes remaining.
That was the totality of their scoring contribution, and while Tui did provide 11 assists, Nweke was asked to carry an unsustainable load - her 37/39 performance far too big a percentage of the Mystics' 38/40 shooting performance.
As a result, the Pulse didn't have to worry about their sloppy shooting night, with a 74.5 per cent success rate made irrelevant by the 59 attempts, in another comfortable victory.
While Ekenasio's injury may require a cautious approach, being able to rest Jury and Kersten in the final period may came in handy tomorrow afternoon, when the Pulse back up against the Tactix in the first game of a double-header.
Later tomorrow night, the 1-4-2 Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic take on the 1-6 Southern Steel in a bottom-of-the-table affair.
