Maia Wilson Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Guided by an almost perfect shooting performance by Maia Wilson, the Stars have taken a stride closer to the ANZ Premiership Finals Series with a 58-47 victory over the winless Southern Steel in Invercargill.
Wilson continued to produce a career-best shooting this season with a 98 percent accuracy - 42 from 43 - converting superb ball from the Stars feeders.
History will show it was the Steel's 17th loss in a row - the longest losing run in the franchise's history. Yet they were still in the game at halftime, down by four but remaining competitive, and even took out the final quarter.
But the Stars completely owned the third quarter, winning those 15 minutes by eight goals, mentally wearing down a home side desperate for victory in 2023.
The Stars can now focus on their final regular season match next Sunday against the Mystics to secure their place in the top three.
The Pulse top the table with 33 points from 14 games, the Mystics have 30 point from 13 games, the Stars 29 from 14, Tactix 24 from 13, Magic 19 from 14 and Steel 3 from 14.
While the first half was a shaky affair at times against a desperate Steel outfit, the Stars kept their noses in front with slick play at both ends of the court, forcing turnovers and converting them which made up for any sloppy errors that crept in.
The Stars held a 29-25 lead at the break, helped by Wilson leading from the front netting all 23 of her first half attempts at goal would go on to finish the game shooting 42 of 43, while being well supported by Amorangi Malesala and Jamie Hume.
The Stars must've been received a rocket from coach Kiri Wills at the break, as they ignited to life as soon as the third quarter whistle was blown, going on a ruthless run, stunning the Steel and leading by as many as 15 goals by the midway point of the final quarter.
Centre Mila Reuelu-Buchanan enjoyed one of her best outings of the season and was electric with ball in hand and a nuisance when trying to get it back. Reuelu-Buchanan chimed in with a whopping 60 feeds into the goal circle, with 28 resulting in an assist. Her right hand woman Gina Crampton was solid as ever, leading the Stars attack in crucial moments.
Elle Temu was a backcourt general for the Stars - forcing the Steel into mistakes with constant pressure and was rewarded with six gains and a couple of intercepts, as her connection with Holly Fowler continued to flourish.
Australian Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich was a keen observer at the game.
Shooting Stats - Steel:
Saviour Tui 35/41 (85.4%)
Georgia Heffernan 12/16 (75%)
Shooting Stats - Stars:
Maia Wilson 42/43 (97.7%)
Amorangi Malesala 13/20 (65%)
Jamie Hume 3/5 (60%)
MVP: Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (Stars)
