The Queensland Firebirds produced a brilliant second half to complete a 50-42 win over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Brisbane.
The well-credentialed Firebirds, who had five players named in the Australian squad this week, played second fiddle to the young Magic teamin the first half but their experience came to the fore with a rampant second half on Saturday.
In the first of five trans-Tasman clashes in round eight this weekend, the Firebirds continued their strong record of having not lost a match since the first round.
On a two-week road trip to Australia - with a match against West Coast Fever in Perth coming up - the Magic could not sustain their impressive efforts of the first half.
One of the finds of the season, Kristiana Manu'a, who gave away plenty in height, delivered a terrific opening to unsettle usual scoring machine Romelda Aiken.
The Magic kept the Firebirds to their lowest first quarter score of the season when leading 13-8 at the first break.
In a tip to young wing Magic wing defence Jamie-Lee Price, Firebirds replaced Caitlyn Nevins with Mahalia Cassidy, on debut, at wing attack on the resumption.
A late surge in the second quarter helped the Firebirds narrow the gap as Magic went into the main break with a 23-20 lead.
The Firebirds opened the second half with seven unanswered goals to stamp their mark on the match. The Magic were unable to stem the charge as the home team delivered a strong statement when taking a 36-30 lead into the last break. They then went on to close out the match 50-42.
? Magic shooting stats: Jo Harten 29/34 (85 per cent), Ellen Halpenny 10/15 (67 per cent), Malia Paseka 3/6 (50 per cent). Firebirds shooting stats: Romelda Aiken 40/49 (82 per cent), Gretel Tippett 10/17 (59 per cent).
