Tactix upset Mystics and keep playoff hopes alive

The Tactix pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the ANZ Premiership season, defeating the Mystics 54-49 at Trusts Arena in Auckland yesterday.

It was the third time these two teams had faced each other this season, with the Mystics comfortably winning the previous encounters.

But the Tactix victory was good news for the Central Pulse, who were able to narrow the gap to the Mystics at the top of the table, after Pulse defeated the Southern Steel 60-48 in Invercargill on the back of excellent shooting displays from Aliyah Dunn and Tiana Metuarau.

The Mystics had only lost three of their 12 games going into this rearranged fixture, while the Tactix had won just four of 11, but those records were meaningless as Tactix coach Marianne DelaneyHoshek masterminded a superb win for her team to boost their title chances.

Mystics star shooter Grace Nweke was out with an ankle injury, which would have given the Tactix more hope than usual to knock off the table-topping team.

Those hopes would have been raised higher as the Tactix jumped out to an early 4-1 lead, only to be dragged back to 13-13 at the first break.

Mystics communication was sometimes lacking and with Tactix centre Kimiora Poi stepping up, the visitors had a 27-25 lead at halftime and a five-point

advantage going into the final quarter, thanks to accurate shooting from Ellie Bird and one from Te Paea Selby-Rickit.

The Mystics never looked like mounting a comeback over the final 15 minutes.

The away win for the Pulse drew them within six points of the Mystics with a game in hand and they now face the Tactix in Wellington tomorrow. There’s no rest for the Mystics, who play again today, making the short trip to Pulman Arena to take on the Stars.