Northern Mystics' ANZ Premiership victory against Mainland Tactix could have come at a cost, with shooter Grace Nweke suffering an ankle injury in her side's 69-59 win in Christchurch.
Nweke, 20, limped from the court in the fourth quarter and has been taken to hospital for a scan on her ankle.
Even with the potential injury, Nweke still put up the majority of the Mystics' scoring, netting 52 from 55 attempts, and finding support from Monical Falkner's 10 from 13 and Filda Vui's seven from 12.
At the other end of the court, Ellie Bird led the way for the Tactix with 38 from 40, while Te Paea Selby Rickit contributed 20 from 24.
A week after being thrashed 70-51 by the Mystics just a week ago, the Tactix put in an improved showing in front of their home fans.
After trailing 18-13 at the end of the first quarter, the Tactix won the second to trail 34-30 at the break. And a 17-all third quarter gave both sides all to play for heading into the finale.
But even as Nweke left the court, the Mystics' class showed, running away with the final quarter 18-11 for their second straight win over the Tactix.
Victory sees the Mystics remain top of the ANZ Premiership, with nine wins from their 11 matches played so far, eight points clear of second-placed Central Pulse having played one game more.
Earlier, former Silver Ferns defender Storm Purvis answered an S.O.S. from Northern Stars, and ended her retirement to help see her side past Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, winning 67-53 in Hamilton.
Purvis, 29, called time on her career after the 2020 season after a series of knee injuries, but was called on by Stars coach Kiri Willis with the pair of Anna Harrison and Kayla Johnson ruled out.
In what was her 100th ANZ Premiership appearance, Purvis played the entire 60 minutes on Saturday, as the Stars sealed their largest competition victory.
Maia Wilson shone inside the shooting circle for the Stars with 41 goals from 43 attempts, while Jamie Hume was impressive with 23 from 28. Amorangi Malesala also contributed with three from five for the Stars.
For the Magic, Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio enjoyed a successful night, shooting 31 from 34 attempts, while international teammate Bailey Mes landed 22 from 27.
After the Mafic took the first quarter 15-12, the Stars rallied in the second to bring the scores back to 31-29 in the second half.
And down by two at the start of the third, an impressive 18-9 display from the Stars put the visitors ahead 47-40 heading into the last quarter.
From there, the Stars didn't relent, and won the final spell 20-13 to complete a much-needed win.
Victory consolidates the Stars' hold of third place on the ANZ Premiership ladder, with 19 points from their first 10 games, courtesy of six wins.
The Stars sit third courtesy of bonus points, with their one inferior to the Pulse's three.
The Magic meanwhile stay last, with just one win from their first nine matches of the season.
