The Southern Steel produced one of the great escapes last night to claim a 53-52 win over the Mainland Tactix.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit nailed a shot with eight seconds left to go up one, before youngster Taneisha Fifita claimed the final intercept to seal the win.
It was the culmination of an inspired final quarter in which the Steel came back from 45-39 down.
The attack was at its best during that period, but it was the defence which won this one.
Coach Reinga Bloxham made a huge call to hand debuts to Fifita at goal keep and Kate Heffernan at wing defence late in the third quarter. But it was a call that paid off.
The teenage duo combined with Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit to restrict the Tactix to seven fourth-quarter goals.
Heffernan used her long arms to get several deflections, while Fifita's tenacity enabled her her to create turnovers.
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit put in a second stellar performance in a row, coming up with a handful of crucial plays.
The pair were key in winning the Steel the ball to score the first five goals of the final quarter.
The Tactix fought back to remain in front at 45-44.
But the Steel kept the pressure on and took the lead with just under four minutes to play.
Bloxham said the team was stoked to have won, although admitted it may have been lucky to rob the Tactix.
She admitted bringing on Fifita and Heffernan were big calls.
However, as it was the second game of a double-header, she wanted to ensure the energy and intensity remained.
Having seen both play in the pre-season, she knew they were capable of playing at that level for a short amount of time.
``I was hoping they were going to go as well as they did,'' she said.
``I think it was really nice to be able to have them on before that last quarter, just so they could get the feel of the game.
``It was a pressure game and they took everything in their stride.
``They worked tirelessly, they did the job, they worked hard on attack to make sure they were really calm and take the ball to the attack end, so I'm really pleased.''
The game got off to an even start before O'Connell limped off the court late in the second quarter after a collision with Fakahokotau. It proved a crucial moment, as the Tactix extended its 24-23 lead to 30-26 from then until halftime.
O'Connell had been shooting well, but the Steel missed four of its next seven - two each by Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Olivia Bates.
That enabled the Tactix to open up a gap. However, two misses of its own late meant the damage was not as bad as it could have been.
That continued in the third quarter.
Bates made one, then missed another two, before O'Connell returned. She provided the Steel with a second genuine scoring threat and, more importantly, a big target.
That made it harder for influential Tactix defensive duo Temalisi Fakahokotau and Jane Watson.
Fakahokotau, in particular, was into everything, her physical style disrupting the Steel attack.
Bloxham said O'Connell had taken a knock in her leg and, while being very sore, had done well to tough it out.
More would be known of the status of defender Courtney Elliott within the next two days.
An ankle injury forced her from the court during Sunday's win over the Northern Stars and she did not play last night.
The Steel's next plays the Northern Mystics tomorrow week.
