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The Melbourne Vixens have fought their way out of a mid-match lull to climb back into the Super Netball top four, overwhelming the Queensland Firebirds 72-60 at John Cain Arena.
After falling behind by nine points during the third quarter on Saturday, the Vixens (4-3) charged home with authority, outscoring the Firebirds 39-18 down the stretch.
Captain Liz Watson (33 assists) was magnificent in the middle, Mwai Kumwenda (49 goals) lethal in attack and Jo Weston and Olivia Lewis inspirational in defence.
"It's awesome to get the win at home," Lewis said.
"All we wanted to do was get to the halfway point of the season with more wins than losses, so it was really important for us.
"We really lifted to another level in that third quarter which was where the win came."
Kumwenda and Watson helped the Vixens edge ahead 17-15 at quarter time, but the home side found trouble after the first break.
Ruby Bakewell-Doran created havoc in defence and Donnell Wallam was a powerhouse in the shooting circle as the Firebirds turned the contest into a scrap to their liking.
Queensland's 6-0 burst saw them seize a 32-27 halftime lead, before extending their scoring run to 9-0 after the main interval.
The Firebirds pulled ahead 42-33 before the Vixens unleashed a match-turning surge.
Lewis's athletic defending was a feature, while Diamonds attacker Kiera Austin, benched just before halftime following her seventh turnover, turned her fortunes around dramatically.
She buried a couple of super shots before Kumwenda potted three straight goals, the last on the three-quarter time bell giving Melbourne the lead, 47-46.
Queensland, who lost centre Macy Gardner to a right wrist injury following a hard fall, were hampered by a 25-8 penalty count in the third and still could not summon any answers for Weston, Kuwenda and Austin.
The Vixens followed their 20-14 third term with an even more commanding 25-14 fourth stanza to leave the bottom-placed Firebirds reeling.
