After sitting on the foot of the WNBL ladder at the start of the round, the UC Capitals have leaped into a treasured fourth position as Zitina Aokuso powered the side to an enthralling 76-71 victory against the Adelaide Lightning.
Canberra, who lifted off the bottom of the ladder when they beat the Geelong Venom 76-75 on Sunday, had to overcome another scramble at the AIS Arena on Tuesday.
The game had 28 lead changes, with the scores even at three-quarter time.
Canberra's Nyadiew Puoch (15 points) broke the stalemate, firing a flurry of buckets to build an 11-point lead, before Adelaide switched gears, replying with an 8-0 spurt.
But the Capitals held on as Nicole Munger and Jade Melbourne slotted crucial baskets to secure the Capitals' second consecutive win.
Opal Aokuso was at the centre of the win, complementing a career-high seven assists with 15 points and four rebounds.
Victory is valuable as five teams, including Adelaide and Canberra, sat on three wins leading into the clash.
With the winner finishing round eight in a finals-bound fourth spot, Kadi Sissoko (eight points, 11 rebounds) also stepped up to help the Capitals (4-7) reach it.
"After Geelong, coming back yesterday, and having a quick turnaround, our effort ... was pleasant," Capitals coach Paul Goriss said.
"We're also in a stretch where it's must-win games for us. Every game right now is like playoffs."
The Lightning (3-7) have now lost their third consecutive game, despite having a nine-day break to Canberra's two.
New interim coach Aja Parham-Ammar will also have to wait another week to claim her first victory, as her side missed Kiwi Sharne Robati (personal) while a lofty foul count (21-16) cruelled their chances.
In her first start since replacing star Serena Sundell (knee injury), Erin Bollmann (11 points, two steals) shone while Steph Talbot was typically busy, grabbing 16 points, five assists, and three steals.
"We're getting better. I was just saying to them, we've got to keep stacking days and building habits," Parham-Ammar said.
"Discipline played a factor, home court advantage helps from time to time. We've got to play through it.
"We gave ourselves a chance and I can't ask for anything more."
Both teams started fast, with Aokuso and Sania Feagin exchanging buckets as Canberra opened up a two-point quarter-time gap.
The Capitals went on an 8-0 run to start the second quarter before Adelaide, buoyed by Dallas Loughridge and Talbot, surged to trail 44-43 at the main break.
Canberra couldn't beef up their advantage, but with Adelaide's foul count rising, Parham-Ammar had to take players off and Aokuso and Puoch pounced to complete the win.
