Magic 50
Mystics 35
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic overcame a slow start to brush aside a feisty Northern Mystics in a torrid clash in Rotorua last night.
In a match that was played at a frenzied pace, both sides were at times guilty of over-stepping the boundaries in terms of physicality.
But in the end the more patient and clinical approach from the Magic prevailed, with their superior finishing proving the difference.
The scoreline perhaps didn't reflect the intensity of the match, with the Mystics let down in the shooting circle, their accuracy rate sitting in the low 70s.
The visitors applied themselves strongly on defence all night and Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan was frustrated by her side's inability to finish off.
"It was really disappointing because we actually got the ball into the circle and they just didn't nail it. Then we had to work hard all over again to get the ball back," said Keenan.
"It was a hard job getting the ball in, so we had to make sure we finished it."
With just four points on the board at the mid-way point of the season and a bye next weekend, the loss effectively ends any faint hopes the Mystics had of featuring in the semifinals.
But it was an important win for the Magic, who were keen to ensure they did not lose any more ground on competition leaders the Melbourne Vixens, who are the clear frontrunners for the ANZ Championship title.
For the Waikato side to maintain their secure foothold in the top four they could ill afford to slip up against one of the lower ranked sides.
The Magic led 13-8 after a frenetic opening quarter, where both sides were guilty of sacrificing accuracy for speed. It led to a messy first period of play, with the combined turnover rate of both teams into double figures by the first break.
The only difference between the Magic and Mystics in the first spell was the shooting. Both sides put up 13 shots at goal, but the home side led by virtue of their superior finishing, with Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia shooting at 100 per cent.
The match continued at a fast and furious pace in the second quarter, and both sides piled on the pressure right throughout the court.
The Mystics' midcourt trio of Temepara George, Rawinia Everitt (centre) and Debbie White (wing defence) combined well to force a number of mistakes from the highly-rated Magic attack.
Although they could never really settle into a comfortable rhythm, the Magic were able to extend their lead to 25-19 at halftime.
Sensing they needed to lift, the Magic came out firing in the third quarter, displaying more patience and resolve on attack.
Though the spirited Mystics continued to work hard on defence, challenging every ball, the Waikato side were happy to work it around and wait for the gaps to open.
In contrast, the Mystics were guilty of panicking with the ball in their attacking third, putting in far too many 50-50 balls into the shooting circle. And with Casey Williams and Leana de Bruin always on the prowl for intercepts, the Mystics were made to pay for any risky plays.
By late in the third quarter the Magic had opened up a commanding 34-22 lead, prompting a tactical injury timeout from the Mystics to reshuffle their entire line-up.
Cathrine Latu, Everitt and defender Vilimaina Davu took a seat on the bench, making way for Jade Topia, Keshia Grant and Rachel Rasmussen respectively.
But the late changes could do little to alter the visitors' fortunes at three-quarter time, with the Magic leading 39-26 heading into the final spell, having restricted the Mystics to just seven goals in the quarter.
From there the visitors struggled to find a way back and the Magic cruised to victory.
