A huge final-quarter fightback has seen Central Pulse extend their ANZ Premiership winning streak to 10 games.
Northern Stars held a two-goal advantage over the defending champions into the final period, before the Pulse outscored them 16-4 for a 46-36 victory at the Auckland Netball Centre.
"It is nice to see them fight back," says Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie. "They were put in a tough position and you find out what people are made of in those moments."
In the back-and-forth contest, the Stars led by three goals at the end of the first quarter, before the Pulse fought back to lead 21-19 at the main break.
Fortunes changed again in the third, as the Stars battled back to take a 32-30 lead into the final 12 minutes.
But led by shooter Aliyah Dunn (28 from 31), the Pulse managed to secure victory.
The Pulse are now a commanding 19 points clear of their nearest rivals - Northern Mystics - with the Stars remaining fourth, a further four points back.
They are back in action on August 2, when they play their first 'home' match of the season, hosting the Mystics at Porirua's Te Rauparaha Arena.
The Stars face the Tactix on Sunday in Auckland.
