The Wellington-based ANZ Championship side plunged to a demoralising defeat at the Edgar Centre last night with the Steel routing the hapless Pulse 56-44.
The struggling franchise has won just one of its 29 fixtures and provided precious little evidence of any improvement following its 12-goal loss.
On paper the Pulse squad does not look that bad, but on court it does.
Several key signings during the off season were meant to enhance the team's competitiveness, and the arrival of Silver Ferns defender Katrina Grant, English defender Ama Agbeze and Australian shooter Jane Altschwager have made some impact.
Just not where it counts - on the scoreboard.
If there is a glimmer of hope, it is that the team kept fighting.
Trailing 34-17 at halftime the visitors rallied, winning the third quarter 12-10 and the final period 15-12.
The Steel was guilty of resting on its lead and some changes to both sides brought the teams closer together.
The Pulse was the architect of its own demise with some dreadful passing.
From the opening play, wing defence Daya Pritchard threw a laboured pass which Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit had little trouble cutting off before it reached its intended target.
It was a sloppy, careless play which set the tone for the match.
Altschwager was one of the worst offenders, coughing up three turnovers in the opening stanza.
Leana de Bruin needed no second invitation, grabbing two intercepts, while Erika Burgess and Wendy Frew also helped themselves to some freebies.
Silver Ferns shooter Griffin did her best to keep her side in touch, landing seven from seven.
But the home side strolled to a comfortable 16-8 lead at the break, capitalising on a never-ending wave of mistakes.
The Pulse reduced its errors in the second spell but was struggling to get any traction with de Bruin getting in the way and Liana Barrett-Chase and Frew dominating the midcourt exchanges.
Barrett-Chase made the pass of the night, rescuing a ball seemingly heading out and flicking it back to shooter Daneka Wipiiti poised under the net.
Not to be left out, Frew provided a behind-the-back pass crowd-pleaser as the Steel continued to outclass the visitors.
Steel coach Robyn Broughton opted to rest Wipiiti for the second half.
The 1.94m goal shoot injured her knee in the opening match and missed the second round.
Julianna Naoupu filled in admirably in her absence and deserved another opportunity to impress, especially with the contest effectively over.
The second spell did not go to script for the Steel, with the Pulse responding to a poor showing with some improved resolve.
The Steel, though, produced a tidy first 30 minutes and can be well pleased with its progress over the past few weeks.
The southern franchise has the Adelaide Thunderbirds, in Adelaide, on Sunday and will be presented with a much tougher challenge.
Steel 56 (Daneka Wipiiti 23 from 28, Megan Dehn 14/18, Julianna Naoupu 19/22), Pulse 44 (Paula Griffin 24/32, Jane Altschwager 20/24) Quarter 16-8, halftime 34-17, third quarter 44-29.
