West Coast Fever believe their thrilling one-point win over the high-flying NSW Swifts in Newcastle on Saturday will provide them with perfectly-timed impetus in their push for a play-off spot.
The Fever outlasted the home side 58-57 for a memorable victory built around a dominant third-quarter, against a Swifts outfit looking for a win that would lift them to the top of the trans-Tasman netball championship.
Fever shooting ace Caitlin Bassett was in imperious form throughout helping her side to a three point-margin at the final break, having turned around a 31-27 half-time deficit.
Bassett scored a match-high 45 goals from 50 attempts as the Fever stayed clear of Melbourne Vixens in the race for the third and final play-off position.
"This result gives us confidence, because if we can beat a team like the Swifts then we deserve to be in the finals," Bassett said.
"We had to really grind out that game, and it wasn't pretty at times, but we are very excited to get the points.
"We have really matured in our game since the start of the season, and for us to come back and win just shows our growth on court."
With their season almost at the point of no-return, the Fever came out strongly against their in-form opponents and were level 13-13 at quarter-time.
But it was the third-quarter won 17-10 by the Fever which ultimately decided the contest.
"The third quarter was disastrous," said Swifts coach Rob Wright.
"They applied a lot of pressure and we need to make sure we stick to our structures and that is something we got away from.
"We knew that they were fighting for their lives, and we knew they would come out strong, which they did.
"We were patchy and there was some uncharacteristic things from us."
The Swifts, who were without inspirational captain Kimberlee Greene due to injury, had only lost one match all season and went into the contest knowing top spot was in their grasp.
But they were unable to take advantage of Queensland Firebirds 66-51 defeat against the Southern Steel in Dunedin earlier on Saturday.
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