The Central Pulse have beaten the Northern Mystics 59-49 to extend their winning streak in the ANZ Premiership to nine matches.
The Pulse had to overcome an early deficit at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua and the loss of Silver Ferns shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio to ensure they remained unbeaten in the competition.
Without the experienced Ekenasio, teenage shooter Aliyah Dunn picked up the slack, landing 43 of her 47 shot attempts, while replacement Tiana Metuarau chipped in with nine goals from 11.
For the Mystics, Grace Nweke landed 24 from 30, after replacing Jamie Hume (5/5), while Bailey Mes was 20/25.
Things didn't start well for the home side though, as Mystics shooters Mes and Hume missed just one goal between them in a dominant opening quarter, which saw the visitors take a surprising 16-12 at the end of the period.
A four-goal lead did not stop Mystics coach Helene Wilson from turning to her bench at the break, with Nweke given the goal-shoot bib and Mes replacing Hume at goal attack.
But the Pulse quickly hit the front with a two-goal lead, before Ekenasio went down with an ankle injury.
The Pulse held a one-goal lead at the main break, before extending their lead in the third, outscoring their opponents 17-13.
The Pulse led 43-38 at the three-quarter mark and doubled their advantage by the end to maintain their spot at the top of the table.
The Pulse are back in action on Sunday, when they host the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in Wellington, while the Mystics are away to the Southern Steel in Dunedin next Wednesday.
Newshub.
