The Northern Stars were too strong for the Southern Steel in their ANZ premiership netball showdown on Saturday, easing to a comfortable 48-39 win in Auckland.
The attacking tandem of Grace Kara and Maia Wilson combined with ruthless efficiency, powering the Stars to an early lead they never relinquished on their way to just their second win of the season.
The Stars shot out of the gates to claim an early advantage behind some hot shooting from Maia Wilson.
The Steel managed to stay in touch courtesy of some slick work inside the circle from Kalifa McCollin and Kiana Pelasio, ensuring the scores were even heading into the second quarter.
The Aucklanders began to pull away late in the half to take a 24-20 lead into the interval, with Wilson having sunk 18 of her 19 attempts at goal and McCollin 14 of 15.
While McCollin's shooting kept the Steel in the hunt, the Stars' combination of Grace Kara and Wilson were too slick for their counterparts down the stretch, and eventually pulled away to win in comfortable fashion.
The Stars will look to continue their momentum against the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Sunday, as will the Steel the following Sunday.
