The Northern Stars have bounced back with a comprehensive 49-43 upset win over the Mainland Tactix in their ANZ Premiership clash at the Auckland Netball Centre on Monday.
The Aucklanders responded to their heavy defeat to the Pulse on Sunday to outgun the Southerners at both ends of the court and earn a valuable four competition points.
The foundation was set for the Stars by a lockdown defensive effort, led by player of the match Kate Burley, and consolidated by an offence spearheaded brilliantly by Grace Kara and Maia Wilson.
Playing in her 150th game, Kara's performance did the occasion justice, dropping some delicious dimes to goalshoot Wilson, who feasted on the interior.
Wilson was money in the bank all night, stroking a seemingly endless stream of shots and imposing her will on the offensive boards. She finished with 37 shots from 40 attempts.
Both teams came out of the gates with some busy defence, with the Stars' Storm Purvis and Tactix's Temalisi Fakahokotau wreaking havoc in the passing lanes.
When the Stars were able to get the pass inside the circle, goal-shoot Wilson was automatic, powering a seven-goal streak that pushed her side's lead out to 26-19 at the halftime break.
The Stars continued their momentum into the second half, with Kara firing pinpoint passes to her inside shooters as the lead slowly began to stretch, finishing at an eight-goal edge for the Aucklanders at the end of the third quarter.
The Tactix ran the changes in the final quarter but it was all far too little, far too late, as the Aucklanders closed out in clinical fashion.
The Stars will try to back up their performamnce against the Southern Steel on Sunday, while the Tactix take on the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Friday.
Northern Stars 49 (Maia Wilson 37/40, Jamie Hume 12/19) Mainland Tactix 43 (Ellie Bird 18/23, Te Paea Selby-Rickit 19/23, Jess Prosser 6/6)
