The Northern Stars have claimed their first win of the 2018 ANZ Premiership season, defeating the Mainland Tactix 56-53.
The victory ended a 12-game losing streak stretching back to last season's ninth round.
Despite that run of results, the Stars started confidently at Papakura's Pulman Arena, with fast play setting the pace for the match.
The Stars have conceded the most goals in the league this season but their defensive duo of Ama Agbeze and Olivia Coughlan were quick to snatch every intercept from an unusually sluggish Tactix attack.
Stars shooters Maia Wilson and Paula Griffin were up against a formidable Tactix defence unit, with Silver Fern Temalisi Fakahokotau and captain Jane Watson in and around the shooting circle.
But a hefty amount of turnovers and a decent shooting percentage saw the Northerners lead by nine at halftime.
As the Tactix attacking unit gained considerable momentum as a tighter more focused unit in the second half, the Stars midcourt had to step up.
Led by captain Grace Kara, midcourters Fa'amu Ioane and Anna Thompson maintained a swift pace for the Stars while continually finding a good connection with their shooters from the circle edge.
With a six-goal lead in the final stanza, the Stars were on the verge of sweet victory. But with a track record of final-quarter collapses, they had to remain focused.
But the Tactix weren't giving up the fight. Fakahokotau and Watson fired up their team-mates with a streak of smart intercepts, while Kimiora Poi was clever on attack.
The Tactix closed the gap to a single goal as they stepped up their game significantly in the final 10 minutes. However, the Stars held their nerve to deliver a win for an ecstatic home crowd.
The Stars remain bottom of the ladder with seven points, while the Central Pulse lead with 15.
The Mystics have a chance to climb the table when they face the Southern Steel at Auckland's Trusts Arena Wednesday night.
- Cheree Kinnear
