A 75-58 win over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Auckland last night and a 44-39 loss for the Central Pulse against the Mainland Tactix leave the Steel a chance of claiming top spot.
It remains a long shot, but if the Pulse loses its remaining two games by more than five goals and the Steel beats the Northern Stars on Sunday, it will host the final.
Either way, the Steel is coming into form at the right time of the season, having strung together its fourth consecutive win.
The side was dominant throughout the middle of the game.
It extended its lead from three midway through the second quarter to 14 midway through the third.
Through that period the defence was disruptive, while the attack was finding its shooters — who were accurate — with ease.
Goal shoot Jennifer O’Connell continued her strong form, despite a shaky start, providing a strong target to score 51 goals.
Gina Crampton fed her with ease while at the other end goal keep Courtney Elliott constantly disrupted the Magic attack.
It was far from a complete performance, however, as the side let the Magic back into the game before pulling away once more.
Indeed it was a slow start as both sides recalibrated after the lights went out, causing a 25-minute delay at the start of the game.
The Steel edged in front midway through the first quarter, although some accurate shooting from the Magic helped it stay in touch.
Jennifer O’Connell had a tough time finding her range early, but two rebounds each to her and Te Paea Selby-Rickit limited the damage.
The Steel led by four at one point and, after that was reduced to 13-12, a strong finish from the Steel left it ahead 18-15 at the first break.
The margin remained at three before the Steel took control halfway through the second quarter.
Mistakes crept into the Magic game as Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Elliott continued their strong form to disrupt the Magic attack.
The Steel attack became more clinical, O’Connell finishing accurately and proving a strong target.
With two minutes left in the half, the Steel had extended its lead to 35-27 and it was ahead 38-31 at halftime.
That momentum continued in the third quarter and the Steel began to run away with the game. It came up with turnover after turnover, Elliott in particular proving strong in that regard.
At the other end the attack was slick, O’Connell continuing her dominance and the feeders easily getting her quality ball.
That resulted in the margin reaching 14, before a slow finish let the Magic go on a 5-0 run to reduce it to nine.
However, the Steel stemmed that flow quickly and led 55-45 at the final break.
The Magic closed the gap to eight early in the fourth quarter, before the Steel regained momentum and ran away with a comfortable win.
In the other game, the Northern Mystics beat the Northern Stars 70-52.
ANZ Premiership
The scores
Southern Steel 75
Jennifer O’Connell 51/63, Te Paea Selby-Rickit 24/27.
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 58
Lenize Potgieter 42/44, Monica Falkner 16/20.
Quarter scores: Q1: 18-15, Q2: 20-16, Q3: 17-14, Q4: 20-13.
