An impressive Southern Steel all but ended Northern Mystics play-off hopes with a polished 73-61 win in Auckland on Sunday.
Already out of the running for the Finals Series, Steel remained intent on ending their season with a bang, starting with Mystics and in some style. Captain Jodi Brown led from the front with a commanding outing, her court craft and strong shooting return setting the platform.
Mystics had their moments and were well in contention for long periods but were let down by untimely errors and a lack of consistency. Against the well-drilled Steel, Mystics could not muster the necessary comeback as the visitors ran away with the last quarter, powering home strongly to complete a comprehensive and deserved win.
Mystics opted for Nadia Loveday at wing attack while reshuffling the defence line which comprised of Julie Corletto (wing defence), Anna Harrison (goal defence) and Jess Tuki (goalkeeper). Phoenix Karaka and Rachel Rasmussen got the nod as Steel’s in-circle defenders in an otherwise predictable line-up.
Both teams made impressive starts, moving the ball crisply and accurately through court where respective shooters Cathrine Latu (Mystics) and Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (Steel) had few problems under the hoop.
The accuracy quickly fell away, the game turning messy with a succession of turnovers by both before captains Maria Tutaia (Mystics) and Brown (Steel) took control of their respective attack lines.
Operating from the goal attack positions, both featured strongly with their ability to direct play and sink the crucial long range shots, fittingly leaving the scores locked at 16-all at the first break.
With Fowler-Reid well covered, Brown continued her strong presence on the resumption, Steel making the first decisive move in a momentum-swinging stanza to slot five unanswered goals and build a four-goal buffer.
Patience on attack was key for the visitors, clever play and option-taking from Brown, who orchestrated much of the action, paying off before Mystics launched a mini surge of their own.
Holding a one-goal lead, Mystics came unstuck with a rash of errors, Steel absorbing the pressure and picking up valuable deflection and intercept ball from Karaka to enforce a strong response.
Better shooting percentages helped the Steel forge a 34-31 lead at the main break.
Storm Purvis replaced an injured Rasmussen for the second half, Karaka moving out to goal defence as Mystics made a storming start to the third stanza.
Six straight goals pushed the home team back into the lead for the second time in another momentum shifting stanza but again all the good work was undone by untimely errors.
The crafty Brown combined expertly with Fowler-Reid as Steel locked in their opportunities under the hoop while hard-working wing defence Wendy Frew provided extra incentive with a clutch of turnover ball.
A valiant effort from Tuki served up opportunities for the Mystics but with the Steel feeders finding their range and Fowler-Reid dominant with her aerial skills, the visitors pushed out to a 54-47 lead at the last break.
Impressive teenager defender Temalisi Fakahokotau was introduced for Tuki for the run home but Steel retained their overall control, building on their lead and reversing the result of their six-goal loss to the same opponents four weeks ago.
