Bendigo Spirit's successful road double this weekend leaves them as the only undefeated team in the WNBL after round four.
Reigning league MVP Anneli Maley was influential in both victories, scoring 12 points and pulling down 16 rebounds against Townsville Fire before posting a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Sydney Flames.
Maley's huge three-pointer with 1:14 left clinched Friday night's 68-66 triumph at the Townsville Entertainment Centre, the Fire's first defeat of the season.
On Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena, Maley played a largely lone hand as her side staggered through an unconvincing first half.
The biggest upset of the season loomed as Shane Heal's winless Flames led 39-33 at the long break, with Bendigo conceding 10 offensive rebounds and a staggering 14 turnovers to that point.
The Spirit tightened the screws defensively, outscoring Sydney 44-21 after halftime to prevail 77-60 and advance to a perfect 5-0 record, significantly bolstering their prospects of playing finals for the first time since 2015.
Resurgent Adelaide Lightning made it three straight wins after securing back-to-back home victories across the round.
A relentless second half at both ends following a second-quarter lull saw the Lightning mow down bottom-of-the-ladder Canberra Capitals 90-80 at Adelaide Arena on Wednesday.
Then on Saturday evening, Adelaide overturned a 34-20 deficit in the second term to steamroll Southside Flyers 91-72.
Imports Kierstan Bell (23 points, 14 rebounds) and Jacinta Monroe (22, 10) were superb for the Lightning, who conjured separate scoring bursts of 16-3 before halftime and 15-0 in the fourth quarter.
On Thursday, the Flyers overcame a scare to defeat Sydney 82-75 at the State Basketball Centre.
Rebecca Cole (24 points) starred as Southside, trailing 61-57 at three-quarter-time, started the final period with a 21-3 bang to steal all the momentum.
Melbourne Boomers captain Cayla George (23 points, 13 boards) was typically tough as the reigning champions moved to second on the ladder (4-1) with a clinical 88-73 win over Perth Lynx at the Bendat Basketball Centre on Friday night.
Round five tips off on Wednesday, with Melbourne hosting Townsville at Parkville.
