Tactix settle score in overtime
Unbeaten Stars too good in Tauranga
In an extra-time cliffhanger that went down to the final seconds, the Mainland Tactix have reversed their one-goal loss to the Northern Mystics from a fortnight ago in the ANZ Premiership and pulled off a 64-63 victory at Christchurch Arena.
In a high-scoring fast-paced round five fixture, Mystics goal shoot Grace Nweke shot 59 from 64 attempts, while her Tactix opposite, Ellie Bird, potted 44 from 53, including the buzzer beater from long range that took the game into extra time.
The Tactix had a lead of four at times during the opening quarter, and were up 17-14 at the first break.
Within minutes of being back on court, the Mystics drew even and rushed out to a four-goal lead of their own through determined defence led by captain Sulu Fitzpatrick.
Just when it looked like the visitors had stolen a march on the home side, the Tactix got back into their groove, with smarter defence of the long shots to Nweke, forcing the Mystics attack to make unnecessary mistakes.
And at the other end Tactix goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit continued to land her long-range attempts, and the Tactix took back the lead and 29-28 advantage into halftime.
The atmosphere intensified in the third quarter, and it was the Mystics who couldn’t put a foot wrong.
Although it was goal for goal in the early stages, heavy defensive pressure from the Northerners forced a turnover that put them in front and saw them build their lead through the 15 minutes.
Led by Fitzpatrick’s defence, the Mystics scored five in a row giving them a 47-43 lead going into the final quarter.
The Tactix didn’t give up at five goals down, and Jane Watson and Karin Burger forced misplaced passes in to Nweke and the gap closed to two.
With just four minutes left on the clock, the Tactix forced another miss timed Mystics pass and capitalising on that put them right back in the game.
It was level pegging in the final minutes, and a Bird shot from long range right on the buzzer, took the game into six minutes of extra time.
An intercept from Bailey Mes made sure the Mystics led 61-60 after the first stretch, but the Tactix broke back and a Selby-Rickit goal with seconds remaining sealed the deal for the home side, giving them back-to-back victories.
Stars remain undefeated
The Stars remain unbeaten this season after completing a comfortable 61-49 win over Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Tauranga.
The newest team in the league continued to build on their short history with another dominant finish after weathering a third-quarter onslaught from the home side.
Despite being under the pump after the Magic stormed back strongly, the Stars’ depth and composure ensured they had the goods to regain the ascendancy.
After seeing off the Magic resurgence, the visitors were able give all their players court time.