The GIANTS have overcome a third-quarter mauling to leap into the top four after edging past West Coast Fever 74-73 in a gripping clash at Ken Rosewall Arena.
The GIANTS saw their hard-earned first-half lead vanish on Sunday afternoon as the second-placed Fever seized control and threatened to sprint away.
But the home side, with shooters Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer sizzling and Jamie-Lee Price superb in the centre, recovered to muscle past Fever with a fine final-quarter revival, improving their season record to 3-3.
"It was such a team performance," GIANTS captain Harten grinned.
"I think we did drop our heads in the middle of that game - credit to Fever, they were outstanding and they punished us.
"We played with such great heart in that last quarter and I'm so proud."
After conceding the first three goals, the GIANTS went on an 8-1 burst midway through the opening term to lead 21-17 at quarter-time against an uncharacteristically untidy West Coast outfit.
Price got on top of Verity Simmons, while Harten and Dwyer continued to hold sway in the GIANTS' shooting circle as the hosts narrowly won the second term to lead 38-33 at half-time.
Fever's Jamaican legend Jhaniele Fowler, a thorn in the side all match with 62 goals, rifled 21 without a miss in a third-quarter blitz.
Fowler, aided by Chelsea Pitman's exquisite passing and playmaking, spearheaded a stunning 25-goal quarter by the visitors, who pinched a 58-55 lead at the last break.
But Dwyer and Harten didn't miss a shot in the final period, which was played with a finals-like standard and intensity.
It was largely goal-for-goal before Dwyer and Harten finally created some separation in the last 90 seconds to put an end to West Coast's brave fight.
