Shooting ace Grace Nweke has sparked Northern Mystics to much-needed victory over Central Pulse, putting their ANZ Premiership title defence back on track, after an opening hiccup.
Toppled by last season's cellar-dwellers Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic last week, the Auckland side have bounced back with a 66-60 result over their capital rivals, rallying from a second-quarter deficit to seal the win.
Down 17-13 after the opening stanza, the Mystics finally poked their noses ahead for good late in the third period and extended their advantage to 53-41 with eight unanswered goals, before withstanding a late challenge.
Nweke was sidelined for the encounter against Magic, but showed her star quality on return, missing just two attempts at goal in the opening 30 minutes and shooting faultlessly over the second half.
She found great support from goal attack Monica Falkner, as the pair outplayed Pulse counterparts Aliyah Dunn and Tiana Metuarau at the other end.
Mystics coach Helen Wilson shuffled her defensive line-up in the third quarter, with Carys Stythe inserts at goal defence, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson shifting to wing defence and Tayla Earle to centre.
Unable to field a team last week, due to COVID-19, the Pulse were guided by legendary Silver Ferns captain and coach Waimarama Taumaunu, after coach Yvette McCausland-Durie test positive for the coronavirus earlier this week.
Both teams return to the court this weekend, with Pulse facing the Magic on Sunday, and Mystics taking on Southern Steel on Monday.
Northern Mystics 66 (Nweke 49/51, Falkner 11/16, Vui 6/7) Central Pulse 60 (Dunn 45/49, Metuarau 15/19)
