Sunshine Coast Lightning have produced a strong final-quarter performance with replacement shooter Peace Proscovia making a major impact, as they knocked the GIANTS off the top of the ladder.
Ugandan Proscovia made all 16 of her shots in the Lightning's 58-52 win after coming on at the start of the fourth period on Saturday at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena.
Lightning started the round in third but level on points with the GIANTS, and outscored them 18-12 in the final quarter of an extremely tight game.
Until the last two minutes, neither side led by more than three goals, with the scores level at half and three-quarter time.
The GIANTS, who have slumped to a third straight loss, struggled with their long range shooting making just six of 16 super shots and shooting just under 71 per cent for the game.
Conversely, the visitors took just one super shot for the match and profited from the accuracy of Proscovia and Cara Koenen (36/40) and their midcourters, who skilfully worked the ball into high percentage scoring areas.
Both teams were coming off a derby loss last weekend and were each guilty of making too many turnovers in the first quarter.
Emerging shooter Sophie Dwyer scored four quick goals either side of a timeout to give the Giants a 10-7 lead.
Sunshine Coast closed the gap to one at quarter time as the hosts' shooters went off the boil.
Lightning twice edged ahead by three in the second quarter, but the GIANTS made three of their six super shot attempts to level the game at 28-28 by halftime.
The third quarter was another tight period with the sides level at 40 apiece by the end of the term.
Lightning coach Kylee Byrne brought on Proscovia for the final quarter at goal shooter, with Koenen shifting to goal attack, and the move paid dividends.
Score Breakdown
Q1: GIANTS 15 v Lightning 14
Q2: GIANTS 28 v Lightning 28
Q3: GIANTS 40 v Lightning 40
Q4: GIANTS 52 v Lightning 58
GIANTS Shooting Statistics:
Jo Harten: 28/36 - 78%, G1: 25/28, G2: 3/8, Total Points: 31
Sophie Dwyer: 17/28 - 61%, G1: 14/20, G2: 3/8, Total Points: 20
Matisse Letherbarrow: 1/1 - 100%, G1: 1/1, G2: 0/0, Total Points: 1
GIANTS Starting Seven: GS: Jo Harten (C) GA: Sophie Dwyer WA: Maddie Hay C: Jamie-Lee Price WD: Amy Parmenter GD: April Brandley GK: Sam Poolman
Lightning Starting Seven: GS: Cara Koenen GA: Steph Wood WA: Laura Scherian C: Mahalia Cassidy WD: Amy Parmenter GD: Karla Pretorius (C) GK: Phumza Maweni
