Adelaide Lightning have vowed to enter the WNBL semi-finals without fear after snatching third spot with a dramatic comeback victory over Perth Lynx in the final game of the regular season.
The win was crucial as it ensured the Lightning avoided a semi-final series against dominant minor premiers University of Canberra Capitals - a task the fourth-placed Lynx now face instead.
Perth led by 21 points midway through the third quarter but Adelaide roared home to win 82-81 in overtime and book a best-of-three semi-final series clash with second-placed Melbourne Boomers.
Down by 17 points at halftime in Perth, the Lightning outscored the Lynx 42-25 in the second half to force the extra period.
"We played with so much heart, we didn't care how many points we were down," said Adelaide forward Nia Coffey.
"We made our fixes at halftime and we stuck with them; I'm really proud of all of our team."
Coffey starred for Adelaide with 20 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks, including a game-sealing swat on Perth's Alison Schwagmeyer in the final seconds of overtime.
The victory caps a late-season charge for the Lightning as they bounced back from a slow start and the threat of extinction to win 10 of their last 12 games.
"We look forward to playing next Sunday," Adelaide coach Chris Lucas.
"Melbourne have beaten us three times (this season) but that actually doesn't bother us."
The Capitals enter the playoffs on a 10-match winning streak after they closed out a 101-97 double-overtime road win against the Bendigo Spirit.
Marianna Tolo (27 points, 10 rebounds) and Kelsey Griffin (24 points, 20 rebounds) starred for the minor premiers while Abbey Wehrung's 30 points were not enough for the Spirit to send off departing coach Simon Pritchard with a win.
Melbourne ended their regular season with an 89-78 victory at Dandenong Rangers.
Maddie Garrick drained six three-pointers in her game-high 28 points to help the Boomers retain the Michele Timms Cup.
The Townsville Fire farewelled club legend Suzy Batkovic with a 90-82 home win over the Sydney Uni Flames.
Batkovic led the Fire with 14 points while Flames veteran Belinda Snell, also playing her last WNBL game, topped all scorers with 21 points.
WNBL SEMI-FINAL SERIES 1
Game 1 University of Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx Friday, January 25 at 7pm AEDT; AIS Arena
Game 2 Perth Lynx v University of Canberra Capitals Thursday, January 31 at 9.30pm AEDT; Bendat Basketball Centre
Game 3 (if required) University of Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx Saturday, February 2 at 7.30pm AEDT; AIS Arena
WNBL SEMI-FINAL SERIES 2
Game 1 Melbourne Boomers v Adelaide Lightning Sunday, January 27 at 5pm AEDT; State Basketball Centre
Game 2 Adelaide Lightning v Melbourne Boomers Thursday, January 31 at 7.30pm AEDT; Titanium Security Arena
Game 3 (if required) Melbourne Boomers v Adelaide Lightning Sunday, February 3 at 7.30pm AEDT; State Basketball Centre
