The Northern Stars will face the Central Pulse in the ANZ Premiership final, after claiming an upset win over the Southern Steel their elimination final in Invercargill on Wednesday.
The Stars achieved a narrow 56-53 win over the two-time defending champions
at Stadium Southland to reach their first Grand Final in just their second season as a franchise.
The result ends the Steel's 16 game winning run at their Invercargill fortress over the past three seasons, while it was also their first defeat since April 10, when they beat the Pulse.
Stars shooter Mia Wilson led the way for her side, landing 43 of her 45 shot attempts, while teammate Charlee Hodges shot 13 from 18.
For the Steel, Lenize Potgieter converted 39 of her 42 attempts, with Te Paea Selby-Rickit going 11 from 18.
The match was the second meeting between the two teams in the space of a week, with the Steel coming out on top 63-46 in that outing.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Steel held a narrow 30-27 lead at the main break.
But the Stars refused to budge, scoring three straight goals to level the match, before opening up a slender 43-41 lead heading into the final quarter.
The visitors came out firing to start the fourth, scoring six straight goals to lead 48-41, and despite the Steel closing the gap to two points, they couldn't do enough to overcome the deficit.
The result has also prolonged the careers of Stars veterans Temepara Bailey and Leana de Bruin, who will both retire at the end of the season.
The Stars will meet the Pulse to decide the ANZ Premiership title in Porirua on Monday.
Newshub.
