The defending champion Melbourne Vixens have slipped to an 0-3 start for the first time as the NSW Swifts enjoyed a triumphant debut at their new home court
Playing their first home game in 616 days since a preliminary final win over the Vixens, the Swifts charged to a 55-43 victory in their first game at Sydney's Ken Rosewall arena.
Trinidadian shoot Sam Wallace proved unstoppable, making all 46 of her shots, with Swifts shooting 18 per cent better overall.
The Vixens main shooter Mwai Kumwenda left the court with an injury with just under nine minutes to go, having kept her team in the game with 28 shots from 32.
Circle defenders Sarah Klau and Maddy Klau were also impressive for the Swifts.
Up by 10 points at quarter time and 13 at the half, the fast-starting Swifts had their lead slashed to seven late in the third, as the Vixens worked their way into the match and disturbed the home team's rhythm In front of a crowd of almost 6000.
But the home team never allowed their lead to drop below eight in the final quarter and moved to 2-1 for the season.
The Swifts grabbed control shortly after the start, reeling off seven straight goals to lead 9-2 and were up 18-8 at quarter time
Vixens' goal attack Ruby Barkmeyer was replaced after nine minutes but Kaylia Stanton shot just two of six up until halftime, with Kumwenda proving the only reliable scoring option with 14 from 15 in the first half.
Melbourne coach Simone McInnes had all three other initial bench players on court by the start of the second quarter as she sought to trigger a lift in her team's fortunes.
However, the Swifts continued to dominate, swelling their buffer to as much as 15, before going in 32-19 up at halftime with Wallace having made all 27 of her shots.
Swifts' coach Briony Akle called a timeout just over three minutes into the third quarter in which Vixens were far more competitive, outscoring the home team 16-12.
Three Super Shots slashed the gap to seven, before Wallace landed a two-pointer to give Swifts a nine-point advantage going into the final quarter.
