Fever were unable to stop the prolific super shot prowess of Donnell Wallam whose nine super shots for the game including four in the first quarter brought the Firebirds into the contest after a strong start from Fever.
Q1: Fever 20 | Firebirds 20
After a scrappy start to the game, Fever ramped up the defensive pressure which forced the Firebirds into turnovers.
Alice Teague-Neeld and Shanice Beckford were at their dangerous best feeding Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.
Fever led by six at the start of Power Five which was eroded by Donnell Wallam super shots to bring the scores level at the first break.
Q2: Fever 39 | Firebirds 41
Fever started the second quarter strongly and were able to build a three-goal lead off the back of defensive pressure.
Turnovers in the midcourt put the defence under pressure but Sunday Aryang stood tall for the quarter with a gain, deflection and rebound.
With scores level on the stroke of Power Five, it was the Firebirds who capitalise on the two-point period.
Fever made it hard for the Firebirds to get two-point attempts however two more super shots from Wallam have the home team a two-goal lead at the main break.
Q3: Fever 51 | Firebirds 57
Coach Dan Ryan shuffle the bibs at half time, starting Olivia Wilkinson at Goal Attack, Jess Anstiss in Centre and changed the defence to Aryang (WD), Fran Williams (GD) and Kadie-Ann Dehaney (GK).
The Firebirds started the third quarter strongly and were able to build a six-goal lead within the first five minutes.
From there, Fever went to work and lifting their defensive pressure and connection to the circle. By the start of Power Five, Fever had regained control of the contest to level scores.
But Wallam stepped up again, scoring two super shots to put the Firebirds six goals up at the final change, while Fever were unable to capitalise on their three attempts from long range.
Q4: Fever 70 | Firebirds 78
Coach Ryan made some more changes at the final break, bringing Browne back to Centre, Aryang to Goal Defence, Anstiss to Wing Defence and Beckford to Goal Attack.
Firebirds led by four goals when Dehaney contacted Macy Gardiner which drew a penalty. It earnt Dehaney two minutes off the court and forced Aryang to play one out in the circle.
Williams entered the court after two minutes and Fever were back to seven on the court and went to work.
By the time Power Five rolled around, Fever had cut the margin to five goals.
Two super shots from Fowler-Nembhard and the Fever were within one until Wallam stepped up again in the two-point period, like she had done all night.
Fever return home to RAC Arena to take on the Giants on Sunday at 2pm.
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