After taking down the formidable Central Pulse last week, the Northern Mystics have claimed another impressive victory in the ANZ Premiership.
In front of a passionate home crowd at North Shore Events Centre, the Mystics defeated the defending champion Southern Steel 62-57, reeling off a second straightwin to jump past the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic into fourth on the Premiership ladder.
The Mystics took an early advantage over the Steel with a tightly-knit defence unit causing issues for the Southern shooters. Phoenix Karaka proved an early challenge for young Steel shooter Jen O'Connell and with Silver Fern Michaela Sokolich-Beatson in the mix, the Mystics showed promising potential.
Maria Folau was back in the circle in her fourth appearance for the Mystics this season, joining fellow Silver Ferns shooter Bailey Mes. Despite not being available for the squad full-time, Folau found good connection with her midcourters who displayed a level of trust in the international shooter's game.
With the lead swinging back and forth, it was Mes who managed to pull off another buzzer-beating goal in the final moments of the second quarter to see the Mystics take a 29-28 halftime lead.
Gina Crampton of the Steel in action. Photo / Photosport
The Mystics extended that lead in the third quarter, with a stunning seven-goal run that severely rattled an already hesitant Steel side.
As Helene Wilson's unchanged seven continued to build confidence across all areas of the court, the Steel slipped further out of the match.
Carrying their seven-point lead into the final quarter, the Mystics were on the verge of another victory. But with Silver Fern Shannon Francois leading the Steel midcourt in feeding the accurate O'Connell from the circle edge, the Steel made a dent into their advantage.
Closing in as close as four points to their Northern rivals, the Steel displayed persistence as they desperately looked to snatch the win.
But the Mystics were too good in the final minutes of the clash to close the seventh round with another confidence-boosting victory.
The Steel will tip off round eight on Sunday afternoon when they face the Mainland Tacitx in Dunedin.
