Fourth-quarter scoring? Check.

Capitalise on opposition errors? Check.

Key contributions from role players? Big check.

The Albury-Wodonga Lady Bandits finally put it all together for the first time this SEABL campaign on Saturday night.

The result was an 80-73 win over the Brisbane Lady Spartans at Carina, the Border club’s first victory of the season and first in Queensland.

Eight times previously the Lady Bandits had flown to Brisbane and eight times they had flown back with a loss, including a farcical forfeit in 2008 following a flight bungle.

But there were no such contretemps this time, with a complete four-quarter performance lifting Albury-Wodonga to its first SEABL win since July 7 last year.

Lady Bandits star Rachel Maenpaa pushed her claims for league player of the week honours with a masterful all-around performance of 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds — all at the offensive end.

Fellow import Lonnika Thompson added 15 points and five steals and Maddy Plunkett chimed in with 14 points and nine boards.

But it was the performances of the Lady Bandits’ role players that really caught the eye.

Young forward Montana Farrah-Seaton, 16, showed her enormous potential with 11 points and six rebounds, Brooke Cincurak scored nine points without a miss and Tenille Collins and Claire Miller also made key plays.

Lady Bandits coach James Ballinger was quietly pleased with the win, noting that his players came ready to play and didn’t let up until the final buzzer.

“I thought from yesterday morning, you could tell that something special could happen,” he said.

“They’re a good bunch, they don’t take losing well and it’s been a real focal point for them, not to let good opportunities slip by.

“We played as team, everyone contributed and that’s the key.”

In a crucial difference to their previous form, the Lady Bandits kept pace with their hosts in the first quarter before taking a five-point lead into half-time.

Despite leading by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, Brisbane closed the gap to just four points with 10 minutes to play.

But the Border outfit refused to yield, pushing the lead back out to double-digits before doggedly hanging on for a confidence-boosting victory.

Ballinger acknowledged his team’s ability to take full advantage of forcing the Lady Spartans into a staggering 30 turnovers and then not panicking late in the fourth quarter was critical in the drought-breaking win.

“We had 31 points from their turnovers,” Ballinger said.

“In the fourth quarter I told them, ‘we just have to keep playing’ because if we keep scoring then they have to force it.

“Even when they closed late there was no panic in the group, we knew what we had to do and everyone was pretty confident.

“We just weathered it when they took their shot and we punched back harder. We definitely showed we’re capable and it’s reward for three weeks of really hard training.

“Hard work leads to success ... it’s paying off and the girls are confident now heading to Nunawading next week.”