The Queensland Firebirds have broken through for their first win of the Super Netball season, defeating the Giants 70-66 at Nissan Arena.
The Giants' loss was soured by a knee injury to captain Jo Harten, who exited the match midway through the second quarter.
Harten, who missed the pre-season after undergoing surgery on her left knee, landed awkwardly on that same knee in the Giants' circle.
She went off for treatment before sitting out the remainder of the match with her knee heavily strapped.
In Harten's absence, the Firebirds prospered behind the brilliance of Donnell Wallam, whose 59-point haul included four-of-four from super range territory.
"It's so amazing," Wallam beamed.
"What we went through at the start of the year and now to put out a performance like that, I'm just so proud of the girls.
"It's so nice to finally get a win and see our hard work pay off.
"It feels so good."
Wallam's second half was sensational, backing up the fierce start launched by centre Macy Gardner, enjoying her first start of the season.
The new-look Firebirds burst out of the blocks, jumping ahead 9-3 before turning a 15-7 lead into a 19-15 quarter-time advantage.
The Giants midcourt was turnover-riddled and penalty-plagued early, thanks chiefly to the efforts of Gardner.
The misfiring visitors connected on just three-of-nine super shots in the opening term, while gun Giants centre Jamie-Lee Price, uncharacteristically, was forced into six first-half turnovers by Gardner.
Giants shooter Sophie Dwyer found her range in the second stanza and Maddie Hay got going at wing attack as the Giants turned the tables and pinched the lead.
Harten's mid-quarter injury buoyed the Firebirds, who fought back to tie the game at 33-all at halftime before having the better of the third period.
Mia Stower was injected into goal attack and had 11 assists from 11 feeds for the term, connecting superbly with Wallam who buried 17 more without a blemish.
Two late super shots from Dwyer trimmed Queensland's lead to 53-50 at three-quarter-time before Wallam owned the fourth term, pulling off a spectacular intercept-and-layup and producing a series of clutch shots from inside and outside to keep the Giants at bay.
