Northern Stars have sealed their spot in the ANZ Premiership playoffs with a thrilling 62-60 extra-time win over Southern Steel at Invercargill.
The Steel led by as many as six goals in the final stanza, but couldn't close out the surging Stars in a do-or-die match for the home team, as their opportunity to progress to the final series ended with the loss.
The Stars enjoyed a late run in the final quarter after a vital turnover, which allowed them to pull out to a two-goal lead and close out a famous victory, guaranteeing a top-three finish in the regular season.
The visitors finished the game with a perfect 17 goals from turnovers, with 14 defensive gains coming throughout the contest.
Midcourt Gina Crampton was named Player of the Match for another industrious display, where she had 29 goal assists and controlled pace at key moments, splitting the Steel defence with accurate passes.
The Stars play their final two games of the regular season this week, with a visit from the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic on Wednesday, then a rematch against the Steel at home on Thursday.
Northern Stars 62 (Maia Wilson 44/48, Jamie Hume 18/24) Southern Steel 60 (Georgia Fisher 45/46, Georgia Heffernan 13/15, Saviour Tui 2/3)
