In front of a raucous Thursday night crowd, both teams enjoyed moments of control in a see-sawing contest but a late two-point shot by the Mystics was enough to ensure the match finished level.
Firebirds recruit Te Paea Selby-Rickit hit five Suncorp Super Shots to prove her threat from range heading into the season opener against reigning premiers Melbourne Vixens at Nissan Arena on March 15.
Fellow newcomer Kelly Jackson was also a standout, taking on her Silver Ferns international teammate Maia Wilson in a high calibre battle where Jackson's reach and timing were often on display as she earned multiple turnovers for the Firebirds.
It was the hosts who started brightest, inspired by Jackson's defensive impact.
Giving Firebirds fans a first chance to see her abilities up close Jackson was everywhere early, picking up rebounds, intercepts and forcing errors as the home team raced to a 7-3 lead midway through the quarter before a timeout was called.
The Mystics replied after that mid-quarter stoppage to move within two points before Selby-Rickit, off the bench and at goal-shooter, hit a two-pointer to get the Firebirds lead back to four points.
That was the last points the Firebirds would score in the quarter however with the Mystics scoring a two-pointer of their own close to the siren to ensure the margin was just one at the first break.
Firebirds Head Coach Kiri Wills introduced Isabelle Shearer for the second quarter with Macy Gardner coming off and captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran moving up into wing-defence.
The changes couldn't prevent the visitors from hitting the front halfway through the quarter for the first time in the game and in the blink of an eye the Mystics were suddenly four goals clear.
Back-to-back two-pointers by Selby-Rickit levelled the scores but the Mystics had the last laugh to take a one-point lead into the main break.
Wills threw on training partners Sasha Flegler, Jessie Laga'aia, Lillyana Rennie and Elsa Sif Sandholt for the third quarter and the inexperienced Firebirds line-up stood tall.
With Selby-Rickit hitting two more doubles, Sandholt then contributed a two-pointer of her own as the Firebirds pulled clear to establish a four-point lead heading into the final term.
The final term saw the return of Jackson, Bakewell-Doran and New Zealand international Maddy Gordon as both team's exchanged the lead throughout.
After the dramatic two-point leveller in the dying seconds, the Firebirds did have one last chance to seal the win but a final shot missed and both teams had to settle for the draw.
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