The Silver Fern's toil paid off though as she did pinch a couple of balls that were heading towards Fowler-Reid and one intercept in the fourth quarter defined the dominance of the Pulse performance.
After dropping their first game 45-44 to the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Monday, the Pulse had to get past the Steel yesterday to give themselves a hit of confidence.
"I'm hoping this proves that we are a good side and we will beat other quality sides with a decent scoreline," Grant said.
The clinical aspect of the Pulse's victory came in their ability to repel a late charge by the Steel, who got within four during the final quarter but when the Pulse felt them coming, they clicked in to another gear.
There are still concerns around their ageing shooting circle of Donna Wilkins and Irene van Dyk who are yet to forge flawless links with their mid-court friends.
But the pair missed only three shots between them yesterday and, given they have played at elite level since the 1990s, there is a strong feeling they will find a way to make it work as the season rolls on.
Pulse 67 (I. van Dyk 39/41, D. Wilkins 28/29) Steel 56 (J. Fowler-Reid 41/44, J. Brown 15/19). 1Q: 18-14, halftime 34-26, 3Q: 50-41. APNZ