The Central Pulse held off a spirited finish by the Northern Mystics to run out 53-47 winners in a trans-Tasman netball league clash in Auckland.
The Pulse, with experienced shooters Irene van Dyk and Donna Wilkins ticking over the score, were up by 12 at one stage in the second half.
However, the Mystics, trailing 42-34 at the final break, lifted the tempo and narrowed the gap to three goals with plenty of time to go.
But that was as close at they got as their winless start to the ANZ Championship extended to three matches.
The result handed the Pulse their second victory of the season and skipper Katrina Grant said her side made it tough on themselves.
She said the message from coach Robyn Broughton at halftime that lifted them to their big lead was to back themselves.
"We know we're a good side and we can match them one-on-one, so we just need to go out and do our job and play the game," she said.
"When we let the ball go and give it to Irene and Donna, they shoot at 90 per cent, so we just need to give it to our shooters."
Wilkins finished with 28 goals and Van Dyk with 25, both with three misses.
In midcourt, the Pulse had an influential figure in Joline Henry, who moved from wing defence to centre early in the game.
Mystics skipper Maria Tutaia said her side's performance was a marked improvement on their 50-36 loss to the unbeaten Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic the previous week.
"We definitely took it to them," she said.,
"On attack, we were calmer and we got those connections working. There's lots to improve on, but huge progress definitely from last week."
Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu produced a significantly better display than against the Magic, landing 30 from 31.
In defence, Anna Harrison's continuing absence with a foot injury meant youngster Temalisi Fakahokotau started as goal keep.
She gave a good account of herself against van Dyk before making way in the third quarter.
The Pulse made their move late in the opening half, went into the main break up 26-22 and continued to extend their margin.
The Mystics launched a comeback in the final quarter but couldn't quite close the gap.
