Back-to-back champions Queensland Firebirds suffered a humiliating 16-goal defeat at home to the Melbourne Vixens on Saturday night.
The Vixens dominated in all areas of the court in the feisty encounter. Liz Watson provided 15 assists for the leading twin-scoring partnership in the competition, Mwai Kumwenda (41 from 43) and Tegan Philip (25 from 27), as they ran out 66-50 victors.
The Firebirds in contrast were untidy with the ball, losing the turnover battle 35-25.
Star shooter Romelda Aiken (37 from 46) was inaccurate early, giving the Vixens momentum which was never stifled.
Philip, who along with skipper Kate Moloney are the only remaining members of the 2014 Trans-Tasman-winning Vixens side, was particularly impressive, consistently scoring from long range.
Frustrated Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke rang the changes with Jemma MiMi being brought on for high-profile recruit Erin Burger towards the end of the second quarter and Abigail Latu-Meafou replacing Gretel Tippett at three-quarter-time, but the moves did not change the visitors' dominance.
Down 33-23 at the long break, the Firebirds needed a strong performance in the third quarter but instead were outscored 19-10, effectively killing off the game.
The victory lifts the Vixens into second behind the GWS Giants on the ladder, while with two defeats and a draw from their first five games the Firebirds (fourth) don't look to be the dominant force of recent years.
