That is the magic number for Otago if it is to avoid the threat of relegation at the national championships in Invercargill later this week.
Otago must beat Canterbury by at least six goals on Thursday to qualify for the first division semifinals.
Otago slipped to a third loss in four rounds when it was beaten 55-47 by North in Auckland yesterday.
The result makes it difficult, but far from impossible, for the Nicola Jones-coached side to make the top four of the first division.
After the weekend's games, the first division points table read: Southland 16, Auckland 14, Canterbury 8, North 6, Otago 4, Western 1.
Final-round games between the sides will be played in Invercargill on Thursday, followed by semifinals and the relegation game on Friday.
Defending champion Southland plays Auckland - both sides are guaranteed to make the semifinals - on Thursday, while Otago plays Canterbury, and North plays Western.
Otago can join Canterbury on eight points if it wins and makes sure Canterbury does not get a bonus point for finishing within five goals.
Otago would then rank higher because its goal difference, presently three goals worse than Canterbury's, would be better.
If Western upsets North, Otago will qualify for the top four if it beats Canterbury by any margin.
"We're not where we wanted to be, but we know we still have a lot to play for," Jones said yesterday.
Otago went into yesterday's game with momentum after a good win against Western and established a good early lead.
Injury breaks in the second quarter appeared to give North a lift.
North midcourters broke Otago centre passes and capitalised on turnovers to establish an eight-goal lead after three quarters.
"After we built a lead, I hoped we were going to put the throttle down when North started making it hard for us," Jones said.
"I think we only won six of our 13 centre passes in the second quarter.
That's quite critical."
There was a twist in the game in the final quarter when former Silver Ferns defender Vilimaina Davu was sent off for a three-goal period for persistent infringement and backchat.
Otago was given a brief respite from the suffocating North defence, which had enabled the home side to take control of the game.
"We just really struggled at times.
The players got a little frustrated at times and we had limited options on attack," Jones said.
"We also allowed North to get the ball through court too quickly.
We didn't show our best defence."
Jones said Otago shooter Jo Morrison, even while pressured by Davu, held space well in the circle.
North goal attack Brigette Tapene worked effectively with 17-year-old goal shoot Carli Botes.
Southland and Auckland warmed up for their clash on Thursday with comfortable wins on Saturday.
Southland thumped Canterbury 57-39, while Cathrine Latu shot 34 from 37 in Auckland's 53-44 win against Western.
