The WNBL grand final series will go to a third and deciding game after the Melbourne Boomers completed a remarkable 58-57 comeback win over the Townsville Fire in Melbourne on Thursday night
Townsville appeared poised to claim a third championship in four seasons after leading by 14 points in the third quarter but Liz Cambage completed a stunning turnaround for the Boomers by powering home a lay-up with 9.3 seconds left to give them a one-point lead.
Suzy Batkovic had the chance to win the title for the Fire but her bank shot rolled off the front of the rim, sparking pandemonium from the home fans in a packed State Basketball Centre.
Melbourne's game two victory means the WNBL grand final series will be decided with a winner-take-all game three in Townsville on Sunday.
Having won an unprecedented sixth WNBL MVP trophy during the week, Batkovic almost single-handedly lifted her side to victory with 23 points and nine rebounds and her feisty duel with Cambage was the highlight of an intense and physical encounter.
Cambage finished with 19 points and nine boards while guard Brittany Smart provided valuable support with 11 points and power forward Kalani Purcell added seven points and 10 boards.
The Fire held Melbourne to 26 points in the first half but could not find enough offensive support for Batkovic in the second half with no other Townsville player scoring more than six points.
The visitors jumped out to an early lead with Batkovic finding her shooting touch and crashing the offensive boards on her way to 9 points and 4 rebounds for the quarter.
Smart kept the Boomers in touch with six points but a pair of Laurin Mincy free throws gave the Fire a 17-15 lead at the first change.
The introduction of Louella Tomlinson saw the Boomers lift defensively in the second quarter but they struggled to find the basket with Cambage picking up two fouls at the offensive end.
Mia Murray's outside shooting pushed the Fire's lead out to nine points and Mincy converted the Boomers' 12th turnover of the half into a final-second score and a 35-26 lead.
Jenna O'Hea opened the scoring in the second half but Batkovic went for the kill as she reeled off 10 points to build a 14-point advantage.
But with their season on the line, the Boomers clawed their way back with an 8-0 run and Smart's late basket cut the margin to four points at the end of the third quarter.
Reserve guard Monique Conti opened the final quarter with a pair of baskets to level the scores and Smart's three-pointer handed the home side a 50-47 lead before both teams traded baskets to set up a tight finish.
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