Southern Steel have earned a crucial 51-49 win over the Magic to keep their hopes of a top-three finish in the ANZ Premiership alive.
The last-placed Magic - led by Silver Ferns standout Ameliaranne Ekenasio - battled hard against their higher ranked opponents, playing their third game in the space of just five days.
In a first for the competition, the scores were level at the end of each of the first three quarters of the contest.
But Steel's English goal-shoot George Fisher was able to ice the contest with a late goal after a Bailey Mes miss to keep her side in touch with Central Pulse and the Stars.
Despite being on the wrong end of the scoreboard, Ekenasio's performance would have been encouraging for Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua.
After a slow start to the season returning from the birth of her first child and recovering from COVID-19, Ekenasio looked at her spry best, sinking 27 from 33 attempts at goal.
At the Steel end, Shannon Saunders and Kate Heffernan both impressed through the centre of the court to keep their side in the hunt for the title.
They'll move on to face Central Pulse at Invercargill on Saturday, before meeting the Magic again on Sunday.
