By Charlie McKay
Sunshine Coast Lightning storm back into the winners circle, delivering a clinical performance to take down GIANTS 74-56 at UniSC Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The win consolidates their top-four position and gives them a healthy percentage boost.
Both teams looked to build momentum and consistency in this Mother’s Day clash after confidence-building performances in Round 4.
GIANTS toppled the premiership-defending Thunderbirds in a thrilling contest, despite winning just one quarter.
Meanwhile, Lightning narrowly lost but gave Fever a run for their money in a fierce battle out west.
It was a near-flawless performance by LightningLightning were red-hot from the outset, striking early and racing to a 5-0 lead to start the game.
Veteran defender Courtney Bruce picked up where she left off last round, wreaking havoc in the circle and racking up three rebounds in the first quarter.
At the other end, Cara Koenen was unstoppable under the post, burning her opponents on the baseline and striking with precision.
She netted 17 goals in the opening term, just one shy of her career-best quarter score.
GIANTS found their rhythm late in the quarter, with Sophie Dwyer and Matisse Letherbarrow sinking a series of super shots to narrow the gap. They went into quarter time trailing 18-21.
It was a tug of war early in the second term.
Lightning picked up plenty of ball, but a string of coach killers led to a low 50 per cent gain-to-goal rate.
But they ramped up their work rate late in the quarter, pulling out into a clinical eight-goal run in the closing minutes.
GIANTS were left flat-footed as Lightning wrestled back control and charged into the main break with a 39–30 lead.
Lightning's star-studded line up is clicking in 2025Lightning turned up the heat in the premiership quarter, punishing the GIANTS with blistering ball speed and deft feeds into the circle that left defenders scrambling.
In a highlight for the GIANTS, young gun Monika ‘Otai made her SSN debut and was thrown into the deep end against Bruce.
It was a dominant, record-levelling 23-10 quarter by Lightning, and they stormed into the final break leading 62-40.
But GIANTS refused to go down without a fight.
They pounced on a relaxed Lightning outfit and came alive in the Power Five, with Letherbarrow firing in super shots to narrow the margin.
GIANTS claimed the last quarter 16-12, and Lightning will no doubt reflect on their finish ahead of next week.
Koenen was crowned MVP and recorded a career-best haul of 56 goals, underscoring what has been a standout start to the season.
Lightning will travel to Melbourne next week to take on the Vixens, while GIANTS will play the ladder-leading Swifts in the NSW derby.
