Bottom of the table Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic have stunned ANZ Premiership leaders Northern Mystics, taking a 48-47 victory in Auckland on Monday.
Taking just their second win of 2022, the Magic took full advantage of injury to Mystics shooter Grace Nweke, winning by a solitary goal.
Silver Ferns shooter Bailey Mes led the way for the Magic with 29 from 39 attempts, while New Zealand captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio added 19 from 26.
In Nweke's absence, Filda Vui's 29 from 34 was the best on offer for the Mystics, while Monica Falkner's 16 from 19 and Danielle Binks' two from three also contributed - but none were able to bring the sheer weight of goals to replace their injured teammate.
And with the ANZ Premiership's playoffs now just three weeks away, Nweke's return can't come soon enough if the Mystics hope to defend their 2021 title.
The win snaps the Magic's nine game losing streak, with their previous victory also coming against the Mystics, now the only team to beat them twice this season.
The victory doesn't change the Magic's position on the ANZ Premiership ladder though, still in last place with just two wins and eight defeats from their first 10 games, five points behind Mainland Tactix in fifth.
The Mystics are still comfortable in their position as competition leaders as well, with their 30 points seeing them eight clear of Central Pulse - albeit having played one game more.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 48 (Mes 29, Ekenasio 19)
Northern Mystics 47 (Vui 29, Falkner 16, Binks 2).
