Nova shot out to an 18-10 lead in the first quarter, were up 27-21 at half-time then 39-35 heading into the final period.

But the Lions outscored their counterparts 14 goals to seven in the fourth quarter to seal a 49-46 victory.

"We knew if we kept chipping away and fighting hard we had the ability and the fight to want to win," van Dal said.

"In the second half, and in particular the last quarter, we really stepped up our defensive effort, our man-on-man defence. In that last quarter we just gave it everything we had and turned over lots of ball to our advantage and converted it and just kept fighting.

"We had high-percentage shooting from all three shooters - Millie [Tonkin], Janas [Burgess] and Katelyn Stansfield - but it was our defensive pressure. The more intense the game got, we just found another level in defence, so that was very pleasing."

The Lions coach praised the efforts of veteran midcourter Narelle Eather, who produced several "vital" intercepts in the last quarter.

"Goal defence Tianna Cummings had a strong game and Lucy Tonkin, who is generally a wing defence, played at wing attack because I had two midcourters out with injury," van Dal said.

"She was completely out of position and held her own. She really stepped up and was fantastic for the team to fill that void."

University of Newcastle remain the only unbeaten team in the modified season after leading at every change to beat Inner Glow 52-22.

Coach Tracey Baggs said a strong third-quarter set up West Leagues Balance's 41-23 win over Kotara South. West led 12-3 at the first break, 21-15 at half-time and 31-20 heading into the last quarter.

"Kotara are quite formidable, especially in their back line because they have Maddi Mueller and Annie Neenan," Baggs said.

"I was a little concerned going into the game because they do have a bit of firepower around the court.

"But the existing four from our first team - Mikenzie McManus, Hannah Cullen, Emma Prince and Abbie Johnson - played really consistently and the three younger ones followed their lead. There was no panic at any point."

Nelson Bay teenage shooter Kate Love had another consistent game West and Baggs promoted 16-year-old midcourter Savannah Angelozzi from their opens side for her first championship appearance.

BNC Whanau won 42-41 in a tight tussle with Junction Stella. Junction led 13-10 at first break, the game was locked 21-21 at half-time then BNC took a 34-31 lead into the final quarter.

AAP reports: In Super Netball, the Sunshine Coast Lightning secured a thrilling 67-65 victory over Sam Poolman's Giants on Sunday. Steph Wood kept her cool in the dying seconds to nail a game-winning Super Shot at USC Stadium to secure the Lightning's seventh win of the season and dent the Giants' top-four ambitions.

Sunshine Coast can seal a semi-final berth on Tuesday night with a win over the West Coast Fever, who drew 63-63 with the Vixens on Saturday, while the Giants face Collingwood on Wednesday night.

Adelaide beat the Magpies 61-49 in the other game on Sunday. The Firebirds downed the Swifts 77-64 on Saturday.

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