Central Pulse have continued their ANZ Premiership resurgence with a 62-38 demolition of embattled Southern Steel in Wellington.
The defending champions took an early lead and never looked back, gradually building on their advantage in each quarter to record their third straight win in a physical contest with the southerners.
Off the back of their upset over league leaders Northern Mystics, the result lifts the Pulse to second in the competition standings - just two points behind the Mystics.
Meanwhile, the winless Steel remain mired at the bottom of the table, after another heavy defeat, which will be all the more disappointing, given their encouraging display just two days earlier, when they fell to Northern Stars by just two goals.
Centurion Tiana Metuarau celebrated her milestone - becoming the youngest player (22) to reach 100 premiership games - with an impressive performance, while shooting partner Amelia Walmsley had her radar keenly tuned, nailing 52 of her 58 attempts on goal.
Steel defenders Sam Winders and Kate Burley remained determined in the face of the Pulse midcourt onslaught, where Whitney Souness and Maddy Gordon were quick and clinical.
There would have been some hearts in mouths, when Gordon was carried off the court late with an apparent serious injury, although she revealed immediately after the match she'd simply been suffering from severe cramps.
The Pulse remain at home to host the Stars on Saturday, while the Steel continue their quest for their first win, when they take on Mainland Tactix at Dunedin.
Central Pulse 62 (Walmsley 52/58, Metuarau 10/13) Southern Steel 38 (Tui 11/13, Heffernan 18/23, Allan 9/10)
