Lightning strike down Magpies in Melbourne

The Sunshine Coast Lightning have bounced back to form with a victory over the star-studded Magpies at Hisense Arena in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Lightning strike shooter Caitlin Bassett came out on top in an entertaining contest with fellow Diamond Sharni Layton to top score for the match with 37 from 37 attempts in the 56-49 win.

The game was in the balance with five minutes to play and just three goals separated the sides but cool heads under pressure saw the Lightning withstand the star power of the Magpies, who had fought desperately to run down a deficit that had blown out to as much as 10 goals.

Lightning showed their intent early after being slow to start cost them last week against the Vixens.

They went to the first break with a slim two-goal lead and mounting defensive pressure on the Magpies attack saw their advantage stretch to six goals at halftime.

Wholesale changes were made to the Magpies side at halftime as they searched for a winning combination.

Magpies strike shooter Caitlin Thwaites found it tough going against Geva Mentor and had a stint in goal attack, while Cody Lange and Alice Teague-Neeld stepped up to assist at goal.

The Magpies mounted a fightback in the second half, but despite closing the gap from 10 goals to five with a quarter to play, it wasn't enough.

Magpies coach Kristy Keppich-Birrell said she was disappointed her team didn't win and cement their place inside the top four.

"It was absolutely an opportunity missed. We've got the players, we've got the plan but we couldn't execute it for enough minutes," she said.

"We got sucked in to playing at their speed and we don't need to play like that, we can, but we don't need to.

"No game is easy, as we see in this league every week."