Central Pulse have leapfrogged Northern Mystics to the top of the ANZ Premiership, defeating Mainland Tactix 51-43 at Christchurch.
With both sides level on 31 points, the Pulse took top spot on superior goal difference.
The two table-toppers meet on Friday night to decide the minor premiership and top spot for an automatic place in the competition grand final.
A week on from the Pulse's 62-49 victory over the Tactix at Wellington, the reverse fixture gave a competitive Mainland side a chance to end their season on a high in front of their home fans.
Battling a groin strain, Tiana Metuarau excelled inside the shooting circle, with 22 from 26 attempts, ably supporting Aliyah Dunn, who scored 29 from her 31 attempts for the Pulse.
Hannah Glen topscored for the Tactix with 19 from 23, followed closely by Te Paea Selby-Rickit's 18 from 22. Glen's chance came ahead of regular shooter Ellie Bird, who still scored six from six, before she was subbed off in the opening quarter.
Defeat sees the Tactix finish their season fifth on the ladder, with five wins and 10 defeats.
Mainland can be overtaken by Waikato-Bay of Plenty in the race for the wooden spoon, with the last-placed Magic sitting four points back and two matches in hand.
The Magic will finish their season with matches against Northern Stars and Southern Steel.
Central Pulse 51 (Dunn 29/31, Metuarau 22/26) Mainland Tactix 43 (Glen 19/23, Selby-Rickit 18/22, Bird 6/6)
