KEY POINTS:
It took nine rounds but the Northern Mystics have finally found some form in the ANZ Championship, scoring back-to-back wins for the first time this season, with a strong defensive display against the Canterbury Tactix.
The 50-46 win against the No 2-ranked New Zealand side was a far more convincing display than they put out against the lowly Central Pulse last week.
The last time the two sides met back in the opening round, the Tactix shocked the Auckland side, running them down in the final quarter, in what was to be the first of four straight losses for the Mystics.
At the time, the match was billed an upset; this time the Tactix were highly fancied to topple their northern rivals and continue their climb up the championship ladder.
But the visitors never looked comfortable in the match as they struggled to find a way through the stifling Mystics defence.
The circle defensive pairing Leana de Bruin and Vilimaina Davu did a superb job of confusing the space for the feeders, and managed to shut down Tactix goal-shoot Rachel Dunn - the side's main scoring threat.
The Auckland defence have managed to secure good ball for their side all season, but Mystics midcourter Angelina Yates said the difference last night was they were able to convert those turnovers.
"The only way you win games is by getting the ball through the hoop," Yates said.
"I think it was a great defensive effort and it was good our shooters would just turn and put the ball up.
"It's like we're finally hitting our straps and it's a good feeling."
Poor shooting accuracy cost the visitors early on as the Mystics raced out to a 4-1 lead on the back of two missed shots at goal from the Tactix.
The shooting circle wasn't the only area where the Canterbury side were untidy in the opening period, as the visitors made several uncharacteristic errors. Goal attack Anna Thompson was particularly costly, losing possession for the Tactix in three consecutive plays. But the visitors managed to make a late charge in the opening spell to limit the damage at the first break to just a three-goal deficit at 13-10.
The Tactix made a slight adjustment to their line for the second quarter with Jo McCaw coming on at wing-defence in place of Phillipa Finch, adding extra height in the midcourt.
But it was down the attack end of the court the Tactix really needed the help, with the Canterbury side struggling to get the ball in to the shooters.
Dunn, playing in just her third game for the Tactix after replacing the pregnant Jodi Brown, found herself double-teamed in the defensive circle and became increasingly frustrated.
With the home side coming up with a wealth of ball in the defensive end, and Griffin down the other end happy to put up the shots, the Mystics stretched out their lead to 26-18 at half time.
The Mystics once again started strongly in the third spell but lost momentum mid-way through.
Despite making a strong run towards the end, the Tactix were always facing an uphill battle over-turning the deficit and the Mystics closed out the win.
