Canberra's bid for a WNBL three-peat is over after the defending champions suffered a 78-68 loss to the Melbourne Boomers in Wednesday night's minor semi-final.
A star display from Ezi Magbegor set the tone for the match, with the star Boomers centre finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in a standout display.
Madeleine Garrick added 15 points and Tess Madgen overcame a slow start to finish with 13 for the Boomers.
Izzy Wright played arguably her best game of the season on the way to 13 points.
It was sweet revenge for the Boomers, who were bundled out in the semi-finals by Canberra last season.
The result means Melbourne advance to Friday's preliminary final while Canberra's season is over.
Brittany Smart led the scoring for the Capitals with 15 points while Maddison Rocci (14 points) was in hot form early before fading.
"It was a big game for us. We knew we had to come out and start well," Magbegor told Fox Sports after the match.
"We just stuck it out for four quarters and got the win."
The Boomers made a hot start to the match on the back of Magbegor's 10-point opening term.
Magbegor's influence helped the Boomers open up a 16-point lead early in the second quarter, but in the blink of an eye the momentum switched as Canberra embarked on a 12-0 run.
With Capitals centre Marianna Tolo keeping Magbegor scoreless in the second quarter, the margin was whittled back to six points by half time.
Magbegor regained her mojo in the third and combined with the hot hand of Garrick to help turn the tide once more.
The margin was 15 points by late in the third quarter and it proved to be a gap too big for the Capitals to reel in.
A stunning stat to come out of the game was the block count, with the Boomers winning that 13-1.
Canberra shot at just 34 per cent for the match.
"The games are really physical and both clubs have prided themselves on their defence for a number of seasons," Boomers coach Guy Molloy said.
"I know there will be a lot of sore bodies tonight.
"After we got the lead, luckily for us we were able to keep a bit of momentum.
"We're just really happy to be alive and continuing to play."
Australian Associated Press
