The Northern Mystics have moved back to the top of the ANZ Premiership ladder with a decisive win over Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
With both teams having already picked up wins against each other by just a single goal this season, the Mystics showed their class to triumph 60-49 at Auckland.
After an even first half, the home side stormed ahead in the third quarter, with their opponents unable to capitalise on a late rally.
Despite missing captain Sulu Fitzpatrick for the fourth straight week, and in-form shooter Monica Falkner, the Mystics held their nerve down the brave Magic.
Earlier, the Mainland Tactix made sure they kept pace with the Mystics with a hard-fought 50-31 win over the winless Southern Steel.
The defeat marks 10 straight for the hapless Steel, as they stay rooted to the bottom of the table, and in search of their first win.
In a low-scoring affair, the Tactix were made to work hard against a brave Steel outfit, with a flurry of late goals blowing out the scoreline.
Mystics 60 (Nweke 50/62, Vui 10/15) beat Magic 49 (Mes 24/29, Ekenasio 25/2)
Tactix 50 (Dunn 31/32, Selby-Rickit 19/22) beat Steel 31 (Tui 16/17, Heffernan 13/18, Allan 2/3)
