Sunshine Coast Lightning keep finals hopes alive with thrilling win over Collingwood Magpies

The Sunshine Coast Lightning remain in the Super Netball finals race after scoring a vital 58-56 win over the Collingwood Magpies.

The Lighting won the opening two quarters at USC Stadium on Saturday and led by as many as 10 goals before a third-quarter surge from the Magpies set up a tense finish.

Desperate to remain in semi-final contention, Collingwood cut the deficit to two goals early in the final quarter but with shooter Caitlin Bassett (43 goals) firing, the Lightning steadied to claim six competition points.

The Lightning jump into the top four on 47 points, with state rivals Queensland Firebirds (42 points) needing to win against the Giants on Sunday to overtake them.

Bassett shot with 100 per cent accuracy on her way to becoming the second player to score 1000 goals in Super Netball, while Stephanie Wood added 15 goals from 18 attempts.

Magpies shooter Caitlin Thwaites, who became the first player to reach the 1000-goal milestone last round, finished with 30 goals from 36 attempts against Lightning captain Geva Mentor.

Neither side could grab the early advantage until Bassett nailed four of the last five goals to claim the opening quarter for the home side 17-15.

The Magpies made a promising start to the second quarter to briefly hit the front but the Lightning surged again to move back on top 35-29 at halftime.

Sunshine Coast appeared to be cruising after opening the third quarter with four in a row but with Sharni Layton inspirational in defence, the Magpies outscored the Lightning 14-8 to close the stanza four goals down.