Mavericks continued their recent trend of fast starts, entering the match with intensity, speed, and clear intent. Their early momentum saw them edge ahead in the opening minutes, but the home side soon responded. Panthers found their rhythm, led by the outstanding connection between Betsy Creak and Gabby Sinclair, whose dynamic interplay posed a real challenge for the Mavericks’ defence. Panthers capitalised on this momentum, closing out the first quarter with a commanding 21–12 lead.
The second quarter marked a strong shift in momentum. Mavericks tightened their defence, with Jemma Donoghue and Razia Quashie stepping up to apply sustained pressure, disrupting the Panthers’ attacking flow. The introduction of Amy Hepworth-Wain once again proved to be a smart tactical move, adding energy through the midcourt. Meanwhile, Emily Andrew began to find her range, sinking shots from long and mid-distance to turn the tide. Mavericks surged back and headed into the half-time break leading 36–31.
The third quarter picked up where the second left off, with Mavericks maintaining defensive pressure across the court. A strategic substitution saw Emily Andrew make way for Kira Rothwell, whose sharp shooting helped Mavericks attempt to widen the gap. However, Panthers weren’t done yet. The home side showed flashes of their first-quarter dominance, and with a string of super shots, they clawed back into contention. The deficit was cut to just a few points with five minutes left in the quarter. With the crowd on edge and the stakes high, both sides delivered a high-tempo, end-to-end finish to the third quarter, setting up a thrilling final period.
Panthers came out firing in the fourth, scoring eight unanswered points while Mavericks struggled to respond. Trailing as the clock ticked down, the Mavericks coaching team called a tactical timeout to regroup. A focused team talk and the reintroduction of Emily Andrew brought renewed energy. As the intensity grew, Mavericks clawed their way back into the contest, with Andrew once again proving pivotal. She found the net with consistency, sinking a mix of one-pointers and crucial super shots to level the scores with just minutes remaining.
Then came the defining moment. In the final minute, with the scores tied, Emily Andrew stepped up under pressure and delivered a flawless super shot — sealing a dramatic win for Mavericks and completing the double over the Panthers this season.
The victory not only strengthens Mavericks’ position in the race for the top four but also sets the stage for a blockbuster clash next week against the reigning champions, Loughborough Lightning.