Basketball On The Internet.

SYDNEY star Isabella Brancatisiano swished 8-of-12 threes today in her game-high 26-point haul, underpinning an 86-71 win in Canberra that guaranteed a return to the playoffs for the Flames, their 3-0 sweep of the Capitals and Adelaide's twin losses closing the Final Four door.

The talented Brancatisiano also did a great defensive job irritating Caps playmaker Jade Melbourne who fouled out, playing just 21:25 in the match for four points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, but also four turnovers.

Brancatisiano's 26 points came at 64 per cent, with seven rebounds, an assist and four steals.

Sydney went into the game minus injured Cayla George but led 54-50 going into the final term before unleashing a match-closing 32-21 period.

Needing two wins minimum from its last three games to make it into the post-season, Adelaide instead lost heavily to Townsville (63-90) and stumbled on the road at Southside 78-84.

Effectively that makes the Lightning's last game of the regular season at home to Geelong a quest to avoid a third straight season of finishing seventh.

Regular season champion Bendigo will host Sydney in Game 1 of their best-of-three semi final series. Perth and Townsville - who meet this week in the last round of the regular season - will continue that rivalry into their semi-final series.