The Mystics have picked up seven wins and a draw against their New Zealand rivals, with Debbie Fuller's side comfortably topping the New Zealand conference as they look ahead to the playoffs.
That record looked under threat at the start of their clash with the Steel, falling behind 18-12 after the first quarter as both teams opened at a fast clip in an entertaining and fluent start.
The hosts got quality early contributions from goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit and key goal shoot Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, while the Steel midcourt's ball retention and quickly executed transitions outshone the Mystics, who struggled to regularly feed the ball into their shooting duo early on.
However, Mystics midcourters Laura Langman and Serena Guthrie slowed the Steel's start, with a lift in their defensive efforts notable in the second quarter as the Mystics surged back into contention.
Four straight goals ended a handsome quarter for the Mystics who had closed the margin right up when the Steel took a tenuous 33-32 lead into the main break - an advantage they would relinquish in the third quarter and fail to reclaim, despite a late run which tightened the contest.
"I'm really proud of the fact we could hold them off because they can score fast," said Mystics coach Debbie Fuller.
Goal shoot Catherine Latu was a standout for the visitors, showing strong movement and accuracy under the Mystics hoop, with both sides shooting at high clips in what was a smooth attacking show.
Latu's attacking partner Maria Tuitaia had plenty of praise for her goal shoot.
"She was really amazing and I'm lucky as a guard to have such a stable option under there."
Latu shot 44/49 at a 90% clip, while Fowler-Reid shot 43/45. Tutaia (19/24) and Selby-Rickit (15/17) also contributed to the high-octane display.
The Steel came from four goals down to level the scores in a frenetic run to the line, but crucial late turnovers proved to be the Steel's eventual undoing, something midcourter Wendy Frew lamented.
"We brought it back but they're a quality side but just couldn't finish it out there, it really hurts but hopefully we can come back strong."
The loss put a dent in the Steel's chances of sealing a place in the top three in the New Zealand Conference, with Janine Southby's side now having to rely on other results going their way.
Although the Mystics were already assured of top spot in the New Zealand conference, Fuller realises the need for her side to step up another gear.
"Things change overnight in this competition and it's absolutely brutal, so we've just got to keep building and go up another gear going into finals. We're still not the finished product at all," said Fuller.
The Mystics finish their regular season by hosting the Vixens, while the Steel will travel to Queensland to take on the table-topping Firebirds.
- NZ Herald
