The Northern Stars have bounced back into form, securing a hard-fought 59-55 win over Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Wellington to climb up the ANZ Premiership ladder.
In a tightly contested Round 3 clash at TSB Arena, both sides were chasing crucial early-season points, but it was the Stars’ defensive strength that proved the difference.
Despite dealing with key injuries, the Stars held their composure under pressure, making a decisive move late in the third quarter before holding off a late surge from the Pulse.
The defensive unit, led in the circle and backed up through the midcourt, played a pivotal role in disrupting the Pulse attack and creating turnover opportunities.
A key shift in the shooting circle also helped swing momentum, with Martina Salmon delivering an accurate performance under the post, missing just a handful of attempts.
The match was evenly poised early, with both teams trading goals and locked level at the first break.
The Pulse briefly took control in the second quarter, edging ahead before halftime in a physical and fast-paced contest.
However, the Stars came out firing after the break, lifting their intensity and capitalising on errors to build a crucial lead heading into the final quarter.
Although the Pulse pushed hard in the closing stages, the Stars held firm to secure their second win of the season and move into second place on the ladder.
The result highlights the Stars’ resilience early in the campaign, overcoming setbacks to remain firmly in contention.
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