Mystics choke to hand Magic playoff chance
The ANZ Premiership playoff race will come down to the final game of the regular season after a colossal chokejob by the Northern Mystics.
The Mystics merely needed to lose by less than five against the 10-1 outsider Mainland Tactix at the Trusts Arena yesterday to secure their spot in the playoffs, while a win would have likely earned them hosting rights for the preliminary final.
Instead, a 57-46 humbling by the Tactix leaves the Mystics’ playoff hopes out of their control. The Mystics sit in the third and final playoff spot on 19 points, but could be overtaken on goal percentage by the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
To do so, the Magic would have to beat the Northern Stars on Wednesday by 16 goals or more — an 57 46 much more consistent, I’m so proud of the girls.”
The Mystics were without veteran defender Anna Harrison, but that didn’t account for their sloppy display, with a slew of errors giving the Tactix deserved dominance.
“We didn’t respond, it was incredibly painful to be watching,” said Harrison, who will be a nervous observer on Wednesday night.
“We can’t be in a position where you’re relying on other people, we needed to prove it and do it ourselves.”
The Mystics only missed five shots, but their lack of ball retention saw them struggle to get the ball into the attacking third as they slumped to the stunning defeat.
The result means that the Central Pulse will host the preliminary final next Sunday. They take on the 14-0 Southern Steel tonight.