The game was close throughout and neither team could put daylight on the other. It could have gone either way and the Steel left it late to win.
Elliot secured a turnover with about six minutes left and gave the Steel some momentum with three-goal lead.
But the Stars came back only for Elliot to grab another crucial turnover with about 90 seconds left in the match when the scores were tied.
She claimed the ball ahead of Stars goal shoot Maia Wilson, right in the corner of the court. The ball flew down the other end and the Steel was ahead.
From there,the Steel had the pass-off and Te Paua Selby-Rickit put the ball through the hoop and sealed the victory for the Steel.
It was a tough loss to stomach for the Stars - the side has now lost three games this season by two goals or fewer.
The Steel had more shots at goal - 78 attempts compared to 67 from the Stars - but the Stars were more efficient and had just six misses all game.
Steel coach Reinga Bloxham praised the work of Elliot in getting the turnovers and said the team had hung tough all game.
"It was one of those really tight games when every moment becomes a key moment. We managed to put on some defensive pressure and got some key turnovers,'' she said.
"Those two turnovers that Courtney got were really crucial in the game. They were huge plays in the game.''
It was the first start for Elliot who had been working on her fitness after joining the squad late as an injury replacement.
Bloxham said the Stars were patient with the ball and really efficient. She felt her side was still working on its connections but when it let the ball go it flowed well through the court.
The team was still looking for that invisible thread which got the ball quickly through the court.
The Steel side wore blackarm bands for former Otago Rebels defender Frances Jackways-Baker.
Jackways-Baker, who was in her early 30s, died in Wanaka last week after an illness.
ANZ PREMIERSHIP
Southern Steel 63
Jennifer O'Connell 21/27, Te Paua Selby-Rickit 37/45, Olivia Bates 5/6
Northern Stars 61
Maia Wilson 42/45, Paula Griffin 19/22
Quarter scores: Q1: 16-15 Stars; H/T: 33-31 Stars; Q3: 49-48 Stars
