The Central Pulse have overcome the Northern Mystics in their top of the ANZ Premiership table clash on Monday.
In a low-scoring battle, the defending champions were able to pull away late in the fourth quarter to register their third-straight win and snap the Mystics' own three-game unbeaten streak.
The first half was a defensive slog, with both sides struggling to find their shooting touch amid plenty of physical play.
Turnovers and missed shots combined to make for some concerning viewers for the respective coaches. But there was still a high level of intensity and physicality at each, as the Pulse went into the half with a slender 18-17 lead.
Both teams found their rhythm in the third quarter, although the Pulse were able to maintain their advantage with a 30-28 scoreline heading into the final stanza.
In the fourth quarter, Pulse captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio stopped up to knock down some crucial baskets to take the contest out of the Mystics' reach.
The Mystics will try to get back into the winner's circle against the Canterbury tactix on Friday, while the Pulse face back-to-back games against the Southern Steel and Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
