Co-captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio was a huge presence in an improved Pulse effort against the Mystics. Photo: Masanori Udagawa
In a dogged contest and turning on one of their best performances of a disappointing season, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse were over-run in the last quarter when losing 58-47 to the Mystics in Auckland on Sunday.
Eventually the Mystics greater experience earned the home side a fifth win after battling through a strong challenge from the Pulse, who showed plenty of spirit to remain in the contest throughout.
In a match that provided plenty of thrills and spills, the Pulse came back time and again to keep the Mystics on their toes. But the home side were always able to find the necessary response to keep their noses in front as their season continues to gather momentum.
With midcourt general Peta Toeava at her imperious best and controlling the Mystics momentum with her extensive skillset and the smothering defensive play, the home side held the slightest of edges through most of the contest.
But they could never completely shake the determined Pulse, who remained a chance right until the final few minutes with their patience and resilience in a much-improved performance. Needing two-point shots in the closing minutes didn’t pay off for the Pulse, which gave the Mystics added opportunities and a slightly inflated scoreline.
With Catherine Hall ruled out for the rest of the domestic season with a foot injury, Charlotte Manley got the start at goal defence alongside Phoenix Karaka in an otherwise settled line-up.
For the struggling Pulse, Khiarna Williams celebrated her long road back to full fitness by getting her first start of this campaign, at goal shoot, after several strong cameo performances in previous matches.
But it was Manley, who showed the Mystics’ depth of talent when making a strong impact from the opening whistle. In tandem with Karaka, the menacing duo put the Pulse shooters under all sorts of pressure while the well-versed attacking skills of the home side were on full show through pacey and accurate passing precision.
The Pulse stuck to task, patient and measured, recovering from a jittery patch to stay in the fight. Late turnovers at their defensive end helped the visitors stay within touching distance but the mercurial skills of midcourt dynamo Toeava ensured the Mystics headed to the first break with a 14-11 lead.
Hanging tough, the Pulse made another determined surge on the resumption with the defensive trio of Holly Comyns, Parris Mason and Ainsleyana Puleiata all having their moments.
That flicked a switch for the Mystics, Karaka’s impressive defensive squeeze coupled with the balance, vision and speed from Toeava easing the home side into a momentum shift of control.
Shooter Sophia Lafaiali’I took over from Maia Wilson under the hoop for the home where she slotted in seamlessly with the impressive Filda Vui. Under relentless pressure, the Pulse shooters Williams and Ameliaranne Ekenasio worked effectively to keep their side in the hunt, but being denied the same volume as their opposites meant it was the Mystics edging to a 29-25 lead at the main break but still far from safe.
The third stanza got off to a hectic start with a flurry of intercepts and turnovers, the trend continuing for the rest of the stanza as the teams battled mightily to wrest a semblance of control.
Holding sway across most facets of the exchanges where Tayla Earle and Michalea Sokolich-Beatson were strong through the midcourt for the home side, the Pulse, as they had done for much of the game, provided a late rally to keep their hopes alive.
With the back three of Comyns, Mason and Puleiata providing the inspiration with well-taken turnover opportunities, the third stanza ended in a competitive 11-all stalemate, allowing the Mystics to keep their four-goal buffer when leading 40-36 at the last turn.