Captain Steph Fretwell's remarkable stepback two-pointer in the dying seconds has helped Sunshine Coast pinch a gripping 71-70 win over the NSW Swifts, catapulting the Lightning back into the Super Netball top four.
The Lightning (7-6) started poorly at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday and trailed for much of the contest, before pulling off an escape for the ages, leaving the Swifts (9-4) clinging to second position.
After Grace Nweke (58 goals from 65 attempts) put NSW up by one with 34 seconds to play, Sunshine Coast's bench was screaming for a one-pointer to tie - but their shooters had other ideas.
It wasn't pretty. They missed four two-pointers late but constantly came up with rebounds and second-chance opportunities.
With 10 seconds left, Fretwell had a super shot blocked by Swifts goal keeper Sarah Klau, before getting the ball back and arcing her next long-range attempt high over Maddy Turner and through the net with six seconds left.
"We wanted to walk away saying that we left nothing out on the court and we had courage," said Carla Koenen, who finished with 48 goals and 10 rebounds to be named player of the match.
"We started really slow in those first five minutes.
"Very proud of our fightback, and to get the win is really great for us."
While Sunshine Coast welcomed back Koenen from a foot injury, they lost gun defender Courtney Bruce, who hurt herself during Friday's captain's run.
The club described the injury as a calf strain, but there are fears it is more serious, with Bruce in Sydney on crutches and with her left knee heavily strapped.
The Lightning were slow out of the blocks on Saturday as the Swifts used a 5-1 launching pad to lead 19-13 when Helen Housby slotted a super shot on the quarter-time siren.
The visitors self-sabotaged with six turnovers in the opening period, before tidying up their ball use and their finishing in the second.
Koenen hit 17 shots without a miss for the term, while Leesa Mi Mi shrugged off her error-riddled start to rack up eight assists.
Liz Watson began quelling Verity Simmons' impact in the centre, and Sunshine Coast won the quarter 21-16 to trim the Swifts' advantage to 35-34 at the main interval.
NSW co-captain Paige Hadley was pulled out at half-time for load management reasons, as little continued to separate the sides.
Watson continued her hot form through the midcourt, and scores were locked at 53-53 at the final change on Fretwell's late two-pointer, before Sunshine Coast pulled through in stunning style at the death.
The Lightning close the regular season in Adelaide against the Thunderbirds in what looms as a virtual mini-elimination final next Saturday.
