Southern Steel's miserable start to the ANZ Premiership season has continued, with a 55-38 capitulation to Mainland Tactix at Invercargill.
Their third loss in as many weeks keeps them mired at the bottom of the competition ladder.
Homecourt advantage counted little for the Steel, as the Tactix shooters poured in a staggering 37 goals to take an 11-goal lead into halftime.
The southerners showed some mettle to fight back and win the final quarter 11-6 - including a 5-0 run - but the result was never in doubt.
The Tactix attack was driven by outstanding English import centre Laura Malcolm, while their dynamic defending duo of Karin Burger and Jane Watson made life a nightmare for the Steel offence.
They'll head to Rangiora for an intriguing early-season encounter with the champion Pulse, while the Steel will attempt to get their first tick in the win column against Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.
Mainland Tactix 55 (Dunn 39/45, Selby-Rickit 15/18, Koloto 1/1) Southern Steel 38 (Tui 14/17, Autagavaia 13/15, Heffernan 11/16)
