A dominant third quarter proved decisive as the Steel thrashed the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in its top-of-the-table match in Invercargill last night.
For the third time in three games, the Steel topped 70 goals, winning 72-59 to remain unbeaten in the ANZ Premiership.
After leading 32-27 at halftime, the Steel went on a 5-0 run to start the third quarter.
That made the difference 10, as it ran rampant on the defensive end and was clinical on attack.
It gradually extended that lead throughout the rest of the quarter, taking it to 14 at one stage.
That deficit was too much for the Magic to overhaul, despite it fighting back to 54-42 at the end of the quarter.
The Steel maintained its dominance, as it extended the margin to 16, before the Magic got back three goals after the result was beyond doubt.
``It was a bit of a big win. We weren't expecting it so it was quite nice,'' Steel coach Bloxham said.
Despite the Steel holding the lead, it had largely been a close contest through the first half and Bloxham said the halftime message was to try to push on.
``We just sort of talked about how we had absorbed the pressure they were throwing at us.
``It sort of felt like we had a little bit more to give.
``So we just wanted to push on and make sure we were defensively very strong and on attack just making sure that we cherished all the ball.
``I think we had a fantastic start [to the third quarter] and we got some great turnovers as a team and just looked after it really well.''
Jane Watson was at her disruptive best in the defensive circle, while Gina Crampton was dynamic through the midcourt and threw some outstanding long feeds.
The Magic was slick through the midcourt on attack, although it had to be as the Steel was equally good on defence.
A key feature of the Steel's game was its multidimensional attack, something which pleased Bloxham.
``We've been working really hard to provide a bit of variety in our game.
``We know we've got Jhaniele in the back and she's great at taking the bomb, as everyone calls it, in there.
``But I feel like our attackers are putting all sorts of [feeds], the ball into her, there's really quick options, there's second passes and a few things that we're coping really well with it
''Then a few times they're really happy to take it to the circle edge and be sure we work that circle and Te Paea's [Selby-Rickit] popping in front.
``So I think that's something we have been working on and I'm truly happy with that.''
The Magic had the better start, opening up a lead, but the Steel was able to peg that back to 7-7.
A Crampton deflection after 12 minutes led to the goal which gave the Steel its first lead of the game.
That was extended by another two, to have the difference at 17-14 at quarter-time.
It carried that finish into the second quarter, extending the lead to six halfway through the quarter.
The Magic fought back, pulling the score back to 27-25, but that was as close as the Steel let it get.
A strong finish to the half allowed the Steel to lead 32-27, before it blew the Magic off the court in the second half.
The win means it remains the only unbeaten team in the competition.
The Steel now has a longer break. Its next game is not until tomorrow next week against the Mainland Tactix.
