Bailey Mes Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Southern Steel are facing a winless season after going down 52-45 to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in their bottom-of-the-table ANZ Premiership clash in Hamilton.
The Steel were ahead by one going into the final quarter, but were unable to hold on against the Magic who scored their first win in five matches.
Both teams had already been eliminated from play-off contention.
It was the composure of shooters Bailey Mes and Ameliaranne Ekenasio (who ended on identical figures of 26 from 28) and Georgia Takarangi on defence, that saw the Magic storm home in the last 15 minutes with a 16-8 quarter win.
There was still much to applaud in the Steel performance, especially the energetic defence of Kate Burley and the confident shooting of Saviour Tui, who scored 34 from 37 (92 percent).
The defence from both sides in the final stages was immense, and confusion in the Steel circle allowed the Magic to sneak ahead in the final quarter and a run of five goals put the Magic into a position where they finally wouldn't be caught.
The Mystics and Pulse top the table with 30 points, the Stars have 26, Tactix 21, Magic 19 and Steel 3.
The Magic finish the season with games against the Tactix and Steel again, while the Steel play the Stars before that return game against the Magic.
Match shooting stats
Magic:
Bailey Mes 26/28 (93%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 26/28 (93%)
Steel:
Saviour Tui 34/37 (92%)
Georgia Heffernan 9/13 (69%)
Jess Allan 2/2 9/13 (69%)