The Southern Steel have sent a message to their rivals before the ANZ Premiership playoffs, hammering the Northern Stars 63-46 in the last regular-season match of the season in Invercargill.
The match had no impact on overall standings, but it was a sign of things to come, with both teams to meet in next week's elimination final at the same venue, with the winners to face the Central Pulse in the final.
But the Steel will fancy their chances of a third straight title, after claiming their seventh straight win, while the Stars have lost seven of their last eight.
The Stars faltered after a poor start, while also struggling to get enough ball to key shooter Maia Wilson.
The match was all-but over midway through the first quarter, as the Steel opened up a 10-goal advantage, but the Stars fought back to only trail 16-11 at the end of the first quarter.
While the Steel got back out to eight in front early in the second, the Stars refused to budge and eventually closed the gap to two goals early in the third quarter.
But by the end of that period, the Steel's lead was back up to nine, as they finished the period on a 10-3 run.
The Steel were able to extend their advantage in the final quarter, eventually winning by 17 goals to claim their 16th straight win at home.
Lenize Potgieter led scoring for the Steel, converting 28 of her 32 shots, while Te Paea Selby-Rickit shot 17 from 23.
For the Stars, Wilson scored a game-high 33 goals from 43 attempts, with teammate Charlee Hodges going 12 from 16.
The two teams will meet again next Wednesday.
Newshub.