The Sydney Flames have snapped a three-game WNBL losing streak, with Shaneice Swain making a clinical return from a back injury to guide the side to a 73-64 win over the UC Capitals.
Having missed the Flames' past two games, Swain worked the floor at the Quaycentre in Sydney on Thursday, scoring 19 points and making four steals.
Sydney (2-3) needed a win, having lost to Southside Melbourne, Perth and Bendigo in the past fortnight.
Swain's sharp-shooting was the key, as she helped the Flames retain their lead from the third minute until the end, also gifting coach Guy Molloy a belated birthday present after he turned 60 on Tuesday.
Unique Thompson also scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Lauren Nicholson bucketed 12 points for the Flames.
"She (Swain) really struggled with the back injury, and it's been something that she can wake up with, and it's bad," Molloy said.
"She had a couple of good training runs through this week, even though they were shorter. She'll get a lot better.
"It's a good relief to actually get that second win and great confidence for everyone."
The Capitals (1-3) suffered their third straight defeat, seeing them sink to the bottom of the WNBL ladder.
Canberra were unable to match Sydney's defensive intensity, turning the ball over 27 times compared with the Flames' 18.
After Opal Jade Melbourne was restricted to just three points last game, she stepped up, making five steals, eight rebounds and 18 points.
Teige Morrell (eight points, 10 rebounds) and Sara Blicavs (18 points) also made an impact for the Capitals.
"Sixteen points off 27 turnovers, that was probably the game. We didn't really handle their physicality well," Capitals coach Paul Goriss said after the match.
"We would do a great job on Keely (Froling), but then someone else would go off. Those were the back-breakers that were a little bit deflating.
"We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We've got another game on Saturday, and games right now are probably what we need."
Both teams started physically, with Nicholson and Thompson turning defensive pressure into points, creating a three-point quarter-time lead.
Sydney started the second quarter with a 9-2 run, but errors began to creep in, and Canberra reduced the deficit to trail 31-26 at halftime.
The teams exchanged buckets to start the third quarter, before Swain stepped up, scoring 10 points to open up a 14-point lead.
Sydney went on an 8-0 run to start the final quarter, before Melbourne rallied to close the deficit to seven, but the Flames held on to claim victory.
