Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio has continued her path back towards the national team, but could not save her Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic from 61-54 ANZ Premiership defeat to Mainland Tactix.
After making last year's final - utlimately losing to Northern Mystics - the southerners have struggled to get on the board this season, opening their campaign with consecutive losses.
But after trailling through halftime and midway through the third quarter, shooters Ellie Bird and Te Paea Selby-Rickit have combined for eight answered goals, sweeping to a lead that the Magic could not reel in.
The Tactix extended that advantage as far as 11 goals in the final period, before a six-goal run restored some respectability for the Magic.
Bird missed just two attempts at goal (45/47), converting 25 in a row from the second to fourth quarters.
The Magic began the contest strongly leading 14-11 after the opening quarter and 28-27 at halftime, powered by internationals Ekenasio and Bailey Mes in the attack circle.
Mainland Tactix 61 (Bird 45/47, Selby-Rickit 16/19) Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 54 (Mes 32/37, Rowland 12/13, Ekenasion 10/10)
More to come
