In what was a cagey affair from the get-go, neither the Rush or the Lady Spartans were able to assert their dominance early in the low scoring quarter.  The defensive intensity of both sides would prove to be an ongoing theme throughout the contest.  

While Ballarat star Joy Burke was able to get her hands on the ball early in the second, the home side began to wrestle control as Janelle Adams and Aja Parham began to find their range en route to 19 and 12 points respectively.  

With the hosts on top early in the third, the Rush’s leaders began to stand up, determined not to let another tight contest slip.  Co-captains Kerryn Harrington and Kristy Rinaldi began to hit the scoreboard midway through the term to narrow the deficit to just one point heading into the final break.  

Both teams found it hard to inflict damage on the scoreboard in a tense final term, despite the Ballarat outfit hitting the lead in the opening moments.  With the two defence structures working overtime, both sides were forced to shoot from outside the three-point line.  

A big three-pointer to Abbey Wehrung narrowed the Lady Spartans lead to 2 points with 40 seconds remaining, however a clutch response from Maddison Allen ensured the Lady Spartans took the points and kept their finals hopes alive.