Sublime Stars hammer Mystics in statement outing

The Robinhood Stars have celebrated Maia Wilson's 100th national league game in style with a record  59-38 thumping of the MG Mystics in their ANZ Premiership encounter in Auckland.

The 21-goal win was the Stars' biggest in franchise history, eclipsing their previous biggest winning margin of 19-goals.

The Stars made the best possible start to the contest - latching onto a wayward Mystics pass then converting to take an early two goal lead. 

Both teams traded goals and were guilty of giving away possession cheaply, but the Stars were presented with more opportunities from their ruthless defence led by Elle Temu who nabbed three gains and an intercept, combining well with Kayla Johnson.

Shooters Maia Wilson and Jamie Hume were pushed hard by the Mystics defence but stayed persistent and made goals when it counted to give the Stars a 13-11 advantage at quarter-time.

The Stars then walked out onto the court in the second quarter with an ominous glow which was to be to the detriment of the Mystics as they produced their most dominant quarter of the season.

The Stars were at their relentless best and fought hard to win ball while suffocating the Mystics attack at the defensive end.

Any ball the Stars won was gratefully accepted by Wilson and Hume at the shooting end, as Wilson enjoyed a perfect quarter - nailing all 12 of her attempts at goal.

The Stars forced eight second quarter turnovers, while being cautious with their own possession and had the rare statistic of no turnovers conceded throughout the quarter.

Gina Crampton and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan maintained their smooth connections with defence and attack, as the Stars won the second spell 19-7 to have a 32-18 lead at half-time.

The Stars brought veteran defender Leana de Bruin on for a record 227th national league appearance, as she teamed up with Temu and slotted into the goal defence position.

Temu remained the disruptor at the defensive end and with the attack remaining on song, the Star extended their lead and went into the final period ahead 47-27.

Despite the result being a forgone conclusion - the Stars stayed focused on finishing strong and put together a solid finishing quarter.

The Stars were able to empty the bench and while the Mystics showed glimpses of a champion team, the Stars still won the quarter 12-11 to run out eventual 59-38 victors.

Elle Temu was named player of the match after a monster performance where she recorded 10 gains, five intercepts and nine tips.

The win is the Stars' eighth of the season and sees them remain in third position on the ladder behind the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse but equal on points, while the Mystics remain first.

The Stars have a week's break before meeting the Ascot Park Hotel Steel in Invercargill.