While the 47-43 victory pleased the veteran coach, there was a touch of disappointment that her side had played poorly the week before, ending its hopes of making the ANZ Championship semifinals.
"It is," she responded, when asked if the win was bitter-sweet.
"It compensates for the disappointment last week, because I thought we played badly and the girls did, too.
"I think it was their desire to improve, more than anything."Co-captain Jenny-May Coffin believes the real benefits of the win will come next season.
"I think, for us, it was very important to, for next year, set some standards and really create that winning culture."
Magic goal shoot Irene van Dyk completed another perfect game, landing all of her 27 attempts on goal.
Maria Tutaia had an off night scoring 16 from her 24 attempts.
Daneka Wipiiti missed her share as well, scoring 30 from 44.
But the Steel put up 14 more shots (65-51) than the opposition and won the game with some superb defence from Megan Hutton and Katrina Grant.
The home side gave no early indication an upset was in store, making an atrocious start.
The Steel took almost 5min to open its account.
By then the Magic had posted five goals and strolled to an early 7-2 lead.
The Magic's formidable defensive duo of Casey Williams and Joline Henry suffocated the Steel attack with an equal share of prejudice and frenzy.
Stunned, the Steel rallied, scoring five unanswered goals and brought the 3000-strong boisterous crowd into the game.
The Magic took a two-goal lead into the break but, in a frenetic second quarter, was out-scored 14-11 to trail 22-23 at half-time.
Wipiiti arguably got the better of her battle with Williams and down the other end Grant made some telling touches, snaffling several intercepts, including an important one in the final 3min.
Broughton then made some changes.
Wendy Telfer came on at centre and Liana Barrett-Chase shifted to wing attack to replace Coffin, who was struggling with an injury.
Former Australian international Megan Dehn replaced Julianna Naoupu at goal attack.
Dehn's introduction improved the Steel's supply of ball, with the experienced shooter tossing in some nice passes to Wipiiti.
Magic had an opportunity late in the crucial third period to pull away after it forced a turnover and built a three-goal lead.
The teams were level 35-35 going into the final period, a stage the Magic might hav ebeen expected to dominate.
But the Steel outscored its opponent 12-8 to seal the game.
Steel 47 (Daneka Wipiiti 30 from 44, Megan Dehn 11/12, Julianna Naoupu 6/9),
Magic 43 (Irene van Dyk 27/27, Maria Tutaia 16/24). Quarter 9-11, half-time 23-22, three-quarters 35-35.
