The Stars have been handed their first loss of the ANZ Premiership season, coming up short against determined Southern Steel in Invercargill.
The Stars made a sound start to the contest, showing poise and patience with the ball as they slowly worked into the game and built a lead.
The game became a bit loose midway through the second period, with both teams guilty of giving away cheap ball, but it seemed whenever the Stars would give it away, they'd soon regain it, by quickly transitioning on defence and forcing the Steel into rushed, uncomfortable play.
Amelia Walmsley and Martina Salmon's connection continued to strengthen, as they were a dominant presence in front of goal. Salmon continued her hot start from the two-point line, nailing her first super shot to maintain a healthy buffer, with the Stars up 19-15 after the first period.
Simply put, the second quarter was a disaster for the Stars.
The Steel began to grow into the contest, buoyed by their passionate home crowd and the defence led by Carys Stythe caused many problems for Salmon and Walmsley.
The Steel had well and truly taken control of the match and the Stars started to feel like they were playing against the current, making costly errors and struggling to regain ascendancy.
Turnovers told a key story of the quarter, with the Stars conceding eight to the Steel's two.
The Stars could only muster seven goals in the period and a two-point Steel dagger to end the half suddenly saw the Stars down by 10 goals, 36-26.
The Stars leapt into the second half revitalised and determined to right the wrongs of their previous 15 minutes and hit the ground running as they tried to fight their way back.
The Stars were surfing a wave of momentum and came as close as four goals adrift of the Steel, before the wave crashed on top of them.
Captain Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was sent to the sidelines for a brief stint after being called for foul play during a contest for the ball.
This put the Stars on the back foot and the Steel made them pay, regaining their stranglehold and heading into the final quarter ahead 52-44.
The Stars never stopped trying in the final quarter, making one last push to be down four midway through the quarter.
Unfortunately for them, the scoreboard pressure heaped on them in the second quarter proved too costly and the Steel came away deserved 69-60 victors.
Aimee Landrigan and Kate Burley worked tirelessly at the defensive end throughout the contest, combining for four intercepts as they got some fruits for their labour.
The Stars now head to Wellington where they'll meet the Pulse next Saturday.
