An imposing 37-point performance from Opals star Suzy Batkovic has helped defending WNBL champions Townsville overcome the disappointment of losing Canadian international forward Tamara Tatham for the rest of the season.
Prior to the Christmas break, Tatham, who was averaging 11 points a game, was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left shin.
She has returned to Canada to continue her rehabilitation ahead of the Rio Olympics.
Opals centre Batkovic, who returned midweek from the women's basketball test event in Rio, monstered Canberra (0-19, 9th) in Townsville's 97-83 home win over Canberra on Sunday.
Batkovic, the league's player of the month for December, made 16 of her 25 field goal attempts.
Townsville (12-6) remained second behind Perth (13-6), who eked out a 76-67 home win over Adelaide (6-12, 8th) on Sunday.
Bendigo (12-7, 4th), trail Sydney on percentages following their 81-66 home win over the Flames on Friday.
The reliable frontcourt duo of Kelsey Griffin (28 points and 15 rebounds) and Gabe Richards (25 points and 13 boards) helped Bendigo to a 46-27 rebounding advantage over Sydney.
The Flames, who were without their WNBA centre Carolyn Swords due to a hand injury, have suffered successive losses, while Bendigo have won three straight.
"The adjustments we've made and the way that we're playing together now is how we envisaged they would be," said Bendigo coach Simon Pritchard.
SEQ Stars (108, 6th) remained in the finals hunt with a crushing 115-75 home win over the hapless Capitals.
Stars' point guard Lauren Mansfield continued her breakout season with 33 points, eight assists and three steals and captain Rachel Jarry, fresh from Opals duty, contributed 31 points and seven rebounds.
Two days before losing to Perth, Adelaide showed they will still provide plenty of nuisance value to the finals aspirants with a 77-63 away win over Dandenong (11-7, 5th)
Dandenong will play Melbourne (7-11, 7th) on Monday.
