After being down 49-46 heading into the final quarter, the Northern Mystics pulled out a storming final stanza to beat the Mainland Tactix 68-64 in the ANZ Premiership elimination final on Saturday.
The Mystics, the defending champions, booked their spot in the final against the Central Pulse in Wellington on Sunday.
They were clinical in their approach in turning the scoreboard in their favour and produced a 22-15 fourth quarter where Grace Nweke and Peta Toeava’s connection came to the fore in Christchurch.
Katie Te Ao’s injection in the middle for the final five minutes of the game as well helped spark their comeback, her long arms stifling the Tactix midcourters opportunities of seamless feeds.
Instead, the Tactix, who had led the competition for much of the season, became stagnant on attack and did not stop the flow of ball into the Mystics’ circle early enough.
It brings an end of the Marianne Delaney-Hoshek era of the Tactix, the incumbent coach stepping down at the end of the season after 119 games at the helm.
Both teams made a strong start in what was an attacking dominant opening quarter playing into the hands of both Nweke and Ellie Bird, playing her 100th game.
The shooting connection between Bird and Te Paea Selby-Rickit worked for the Tactix, with Bird posting up at the back for her feeders to find her.
It was a similar scenario at the other end with Toeava and Tayla Earle providing slick service to Nweke.
Nothing could separate the two sides who were locked 17-17 at the first break.
Filda Vui was injected at goal attack for the Mystics and rewarded her team with her timing and accuracy.
Tactix goal keep Jane Watson made the first break picking up a turnover, which were hard to come by throughout the game.
Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, also in her 100th game, followed up with her own helping the momentum sway to the visitors and gain a 35-33 lead at halftime.
After an attacking dominant first half, the third quarter became a battle of defence.
Mystics defenders Phoenix Karaka and Catherine Hall were among everything and at the other end, Watson and Karin Burger confused the space and went hunting for everything.
It put heat on the Mystics and things started to click for the Tactix, who forged ahead to win the third 16-11 and lead 49-46 at the break.
But the defending champions used their experience to steer themselves home in the final quarter.
ANZ Premiership
The scores
Northern Mystics 68
Grace Nweke 60/70, Filda Vui 7/7, Dani Binks 1/1
Mainland Tactix 64
Ellie Bird 55/56, Te Paea Selby-Rickit 5/7, Jess Allan 4/5
Quarter scores: Northern Mystics 17-17, 35-33, 46-49
