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Paul Griffin and Caitlin Thwaites celebrate - Source: Photosport
The Central Pulse rode a fluent attacking effort to ease past the Canterbury Tactix 54-47 at the CBS Arena in Christchurch.
Joline Henry and Camilla Lees spearheaded the win for the Pulse, as they secured four turnovers each and linked superbly with the shooters, despite some spirited defence from the Tactix.
Caitlin Thwaites shot 37 from 40 attempts, ensuring the mid-court's work was rewarded on the scoresheet, while Paula Griffin too, sunk several long range attempts, when Thwaites was unavailable in the circle.
The win gives the Pulse their third successive win in the trans-Tasman competition, lifting them just above the Magic to sixth on the ladder.
The Tactix began promisingly enough, earning two early turnovers to shoot to a 4-point lead inside seven minutes, but by the end of the first period, the Pulse had already caught up.
Thwaites was steady from the beginning, and as the Pulse attack wound into gear, their defence found their feet as well, with Katrina Grant and Katarina Cooper ensuring the Tactix worked much harder for their points in the second quarter.
Tactix goal-shoot Joe Harten was impressive with her positional play, often outsmarting her markers with a number of deft evasive manoeuvres - but her teammates couldn't find her often enough to keep pace with the Pulse.
Maree Bowden attempted to rally her side in the two final quarters with a marked increase in energy through the mid-court, but the hosts failed to close the gap and the Pulse sauntered to the finish.