The Stars used their bench to their benefit, with five players being rotated around the three defensive positions. Maia Wilson was reliable at goal shoot for the Stars as usual, shooting at 91 per cent, and while goal attack Jamie Hume struggled with her accuracy, shooting 6/11, she played a fine supporting role, with excellent feeds to Wilson and a few defensive pickups.
The victories vault Kiri Wills' side into third, on 16 points from seven games, while the Mainland Tactix sit three points behind, from six matches, after tipping over the Northern Mystics 41-40.
Mystics coach Helene Wilson made the baffling call to start inexperienced shooters Saviour Tui and Asher Grapes, with Grace Nweke spending the first quarter on the bench. Tui was strong under the hoop, scoring all six of her attempts in her first-quarter, but Grapes mustered just one missed attempt as the Mystics only produced seven attempts in the period.
Nweke's inclusion at quarter-time saw the Mystics double their volume, and they briefly hit the front, before a 6-1 third-quarter run put the Tactix in command. Leading 41-35 with four minutes left, a win looked secure, but the Mystics reeled off five straight goals, and a late turnover gave Saviour Tui a chance to give the Premiership the second draw that the Stars and Magic had earlier been threatening.
However, her attempt was milliseconds late, and the Tactix breathed a mighty sigh of relief.
