This was the one that got away for the Southern Steel.
A touch of sloppiness and a dash of inexperience led to the Steel missing a golden opportunity to roll the Northern Mystics in Auckland last night.
The Steel led by between four and six goals for much of the game, and a few minutes into the final quarter held a 45 41 lead and all the momentum.
But it all turned to custard rather quickly, and it was probably a combination of things.
The Steel certainly looked a little nervy when the pressure came on, and talisman goal shoot Jhaniele Fowler Reid and circle partner Te Paea Selby Rickit both missed some key goals.
Possibly, the bigger factor was that the Mystics' class acts stepped up when it counted.
Laura Langman simply took over the middle of the court as only she can, and further forward, Maria Tutaia and Cathrine Latu shot faultlessly for the quarter, as the Steel's lead evaporated and was replaced by a commanding Mystics grip.
The Steel had made a cracking start to the game, dominating the first quarter with a series of sweeping movements through court.
Gina Crampton and Selby Rickit formed a particularly impressive combination, the former firing her lightning passes into her roving goal attack.
A 13 7 Steel lead was followed by a brisk Mystics comeback, and it was 16 15 to the southerners at the first break.
The Steel again made a move in the second quarter, leaping to leads of 24 19 and 27 21, and the southern side took a handy 31 26 lead into halftime.
Steel coach Janine Southby made one change at the break, replacing goal defence Jane Watson with Phoenix Karaka, while Mystics coach Debbie Fuller made a triple change, bringing on Katherine Coffin, Temalisi Fakahokotau and Nadia Loveday.
The Steel still had the edge after three quarters, 41 39, but there was a clear sense the home side was poised for a move.
Southby rejigged her midcourt, bringing Stacey Peeters on at wing defence, and the Steel made a good start to the final quarter before it turned drastically in favour of the Mystics.
In the other game played yesterday, the West Coast Fever cemented its place at the top of the Australian conference with a 55 50 win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Tonight, the Pulse hosts the Magic, and the Firebirds host the Swifts.
ANZ Championship
The scores
Northern Mystics 57
Cathrine Latu 34/37, Maria Tutaia 23/25
Southern Steel 52
Jhaniele Fowler Reid 38/48, Te Paea Selby Rickit 14/17
Quarter scores: 1st, 15-16; 2nd, 26-31; 3rd, 39-41.
