In an exhausting extra-time thriller, the Northern Mystics have finally broken the spell of the Adelaide Thunderbirds and racked up their first victory of the season, 71-68, in Auckland tonight.
"It's been a long time coming," a breathless Mystics captain, Maria Tutaia, said after the victory, crediting her side's improved connections for their best performance of the season.
It was a long time, too, since the Thunderbirds had experienced defeat - 16 record-breaking games, no less - but it took an extra 14 minutes of play before they finally relinquished their unprecedented winning streak.
The turnaround for the bottom-of-the-table Mystics was inspired by the return of Silver Ferns firebrand Anna Harrison, showing no signs of the foot injury that delayed her comeback to the court after the birth of her first child.
The intense, see-saw nature of the game was evident right from the early stages - each team would surge and then fall back, allowing the opposition a period of control.
The Mystics opened their account with a newfound purpose, buoyed by the return of injured defenders Harrison and Jodi Todd-Elliot.
A run of three goals from the Thunderbirds put the Mystics on the back foot. Erin Bell was in sparkling form under the hoop for the visitors, who led 15-12 at the first break.
The intensity did not ease off in the second quarter with the Thunderbirds quickly extending out to a six-goal advantage. Goal shoot Carla Borrego was pushed outside her comfort zone by Harrison and Julie Corletto, who used the 'Harrison Hoist' often, but Borrego stood strong to pull in the rebounds.
Under pressure in the midcourt, the Thunderbirds threw away some valuable possession and allowed the Mystics to fight back to within one with less than three minutes left in the half.
