The Southern Steel have jumped to sole ownership of third place in the ANZ Premiership with a 65-50 win over the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in Invercargill.
A decisive first-half assault with near-flawless shooting paved the way for the Southerners, who now jump clear of the chasing pack on 21 points - four behind the Stars and six behind leaders the Mystics.
The Steel were dominant from the outset and established a 14-goal lead at halftime.
Shooter Grace Namana finished with 35 from 38, while Tiana Metuarau starred - missing just one goal - with three minutes of the match remaining - to end up with 29 from 30.
Tuesday night's scheduled match between the Central Pulse and the Mainland Tactix has been postponed because of Wellington's COVID-19 restrictions
The Steel lead the Tactix (18) by three points, although Mainlaind has a game in hand on their southern rivals.
The defending champions, Central Pulse are four-points further adrift with time running out on their playoff push.
With just one win all season, the Magic sit dead last with seven pints from 11 games.
