It is becoming the Southern Steel’s specialty.
The team rarely led by more than three last night in Invercargill.
But it held that lead the whole way against the Northern Mystics to grind out a 61-58 win against the ANZ Premiership leader.
The result takes the Steel to second on the table and gives it crucial points in the tight playoff race with two weeks remaining.
It also ensured it won the Georgie Salter Memorial Trophy.
Both teams shot at a high accuracy, but the Steel was slightly better — finishing at an impressive 91%.
Notably goal shooter George Fisher — in her first full game in a month — was outstanding in converting 39 of her 41 attempts.
However, it was further up the court the Steel won this one.
Its midcourt was outstanding in picking up ball and disrupting the Mystics attack, while Taneisha Fifita came up with a huge tip late in the game.
Grace Nweke was typically dangerous at goal shoot for the Mystics, shooting 50/57 and grabbing five rebounds.
But she lacked support and the Steel was able to do just enough to prevent Nweke getting enough ball to win the game.
It took the Steel five minutes to get the first advantage. Tiana Metuarau picked up a loose ball from which Fisher scored, before Metuarau converted off the centre pass to make it 8-5.
However, the Mystics hit back when a Tayla Earle tip went their way. It allowed them to haul in the margin.
The quarter followed that trend, although the Steel was able to take an 18-15 lead to the break.
It extended that early in the second quarter as Metuarau capitalised off a Bailey Mes miss, the Mystics’ first miss of the night. That helped the Steel take a six-goal lead and, while the Mystics threatened to come back at various stages, the Steel defence remained solid and led 31-29 at halftime.
The Mystics closed that gap straight away, although they never got in front.
The score remained close most of the third quarter, but a Metuarau deflection and Shannon Saunders intercept allowed the Steel to restore a three-goal lead.
That became 47-47 as the Mystics again tied the score early in the fourth quarter. But again the Steel ensured it did not give up the lead.
Fifita came up with a timely tip on a feed to Nweke, which allowed Metuarau to score and open a gap.
From there, the Steel showed patience and, while the Mystics pushed hard towards the end, the Steel worked the ball well to its shooters to close out the win.
In yesterday’s other game, the Central Pulse downed the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 55-51 in Wellington.
