Despite winning two of the four quarters and holding a five-point lead at halftime, Bec Bulley’s team were made to pay for a third-quarter where the Magpies seized control of the game by outscoring the Firebirds 23-8.
The Firebirds made a bright start at John Cain Arena, with Donnell Wallam and Mia Stower both hitting the scoreboard to open up an early six-point lead.
Stower hit her second Suncorp Super Shot of the quarter right on the siren to ensure the Firebirds led 18-13 at the first break.
The Firebirds kept up the intensity in the second quarter, with Remi Kamo securing three gains in an impressive defensive display as the visitors maintained their five-point advantage heading into halftime.
The Magpies came out firing after the main break however, a run of seven goals giving them the lead as the Firebirds struggled to prevent Jamaican shooter Shimona Nelson from scoring 20 points in the quarter from 21 attempts.
Firebirds Head Coach Bec Bulley turned to her bench in a bid to regain the initiative, with Ash Unie and Macy Gardner coming into the game and the visitors rebounded to win the final term 20-18.
Emily Moore was also introduced after Stower had to leave the court having copped a heavy knock to her left thigh in a contest with Jodi-Ann Ward.
Moore combined with Wallam in the final minutes of the match to score a flurry of Suncorp Super Shots but their efforts were in vain as the Magpies held on to take Easter chocolates.
Wallam ended the match with 44 points including three Suncorp Super Shots, while Stower had 15 points including three Suncorp Super Shots.
Kamo picked up seven gains, four intercepts and five deflections while captain Kim Ravaillion was in top form against her former club with 16 goal assists, 24 feeds and 13 second pass receives.
The Firebirds return home to Nissan Arena next weekend, hosting defending premiers the West Coast Fever from 2pm on Sunday, 16 April.
