The Northern Mystics restarted the ANZ Premiership with an impressive 47-40 win over the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in Auckland tonight.
After a three-month Covid-induced hiatus, the Mystics scored the first points and never trailed, leading 11-8 at the first break and edging ahead throughout the match.
Grace Nweke scored from 41 of her 45 shots, while the Magic converted just 40 of their 56 attempts. The Magic had several chances to even the scores but the experienced Mystics defensive duo of Phoenix Karaka and Sulu Fitzpatrick fought for every ball to keep them at bay.
The Mystics had an extremely inexperienced shooting circle - aged 18, 19 and 19 - and Nweke did not have much support from her young goal attacks, with Silver Fern Bailey Mes out injured for the season.
However, with Peta Toeava getting through a lot of work in the midcourt, with 27 goal assists, Nweke was given enough ball to give the Mystics - three months later - their second win of the campaign.
