Table-Topping Win For Mystics
The Stars stayed in touch until the halfway mark but a big second half from the Mystics, where they dazzled in all facets of play while rubbing salt into the wound when Filda Vui iced the deal with two late super shots, consigned the hapless Stars to a hefty loss.
There were few chinks in a complete team effort from the visitors, who dominated the possession stakes and revelled in their ability to swing from sizzling attacking play to rock solid defence.
As the league heads towards the Finals Series, the Mystics were able to give all their squad time on court against a valiant Stars, the hard-luck story of the season with their loss of key personnel.
Decimated by injury, the Stars had an unfamiliar look to their starting seven with permanent replacement player Crystal Maro stepping into goal attack and fellow replacement Julia Wynards slotting in at goal defence.
The Mystics welcomed Australian import Donnell Wallam back from injury for the Round 8 match, the 1.93m back for her first match since Round 4 in an otherwise settled line-up.
Both sides made promising starts with enterprising through-court play where respective towering shooters Charlie Bell and Wallam were the key targets.
It didn't take long for Wallam to find her groove as the Mystics slowly gained an edge over their rivals. Slotting back in seamlessly, Wallam found an instant rapport with fellow shooter Vui and mercurial midcourter Peta Toeava.
With their impressive speed of play and exploits of dynamic defender Catherine Hall, the Mystics took advantage to loosen a tight contest in the closing minutes when forging a 17-13 lead at the first break.
Scoring the first three goals on the resumption, the Mystics threatened to open the floodgates as the Stars struggled to contain their opponents' speed and accuracy. The visitors had no trouble getting the ball into Wallam's hands while the Stars feeders had all sorts of problems getting the ball over and around the menacing defensive duo of Hall and Michalea Sokolich-Beatson.
The rangy figure of defender Lili Tokaduadua was quickly injected for the Stars while the midcourt pairing of Samon Nathan and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan were able to get better ball into Bell's hands, all helping the home side get back into the contest.
With the score blowing out to a 10-goal margin in the Mystics favour, the Stars did a good job of chipping away at the deficit but the defending champions finished the stronger in the closing minutes when taking a 31-24 lead into the main break.
The Mystics highlighted their depth of talent when Toeava slipped into goal attack for the third stanza, where she continued to shine with her speed around the circle, deft off-loads and ability to put up the shot when required.
With Tayla Earle at wing attack, Katie Te Ao at centre and Sokolich-Beatson, wing defence, the Mystics had speed to burn on attack while Hall and Holly Rae tightened the screws under the Stars hoop.
Wallam could do little wrong as the Mystics wrested complete control during a dominant third quarter, even scoring a goal while falling out of court before taking a rest late in the piece.
There was no respite when the Mystics latest shooting sensation Sophia Lafaiali'i took her place as the visitors bolted into a 49-35 lead at the last break.
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