SOUTHERN Tigers withstood a determined West Adelaide to record a thrilling one-point victory in front of a large crowd at Morphett Vale on Saturday night.

The Bearcats dug deep to push the Tigers all the way despite losing Brielle Ward to injury early in the contest.

West refused to lay down, trailing by nine points with a little more than six minutes to play.

Sky Langenbrinck sunk a clutch three-pointer – her second of the final term – to trim the lead to two points with 24 seconds left.

Tara Dodman stayed cool to convert two free throws but turned the ball over on Southern’s next possession after Alice Gee made it a one-point game.

Stana Zecevic was unable to make a game-winning two-point shot for the Bearcats under serious pressure from Jess Frost.

Earlier, the Tigers went on a 10-point run late in the second quarter to establish an eight-point advantage at half-time after West had made a strong start the contest.

Southern had too many scoring threats for the visitors.

Import Alex Green (16 points, six rebounds, six assists), Dodman (12 points and five rebounds, Demi Skinner (12 points) and Mollie McKendrick (11 points) all hit double-figures.

For the Bearcats, Ieva Nagy led the way with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Langenbrinck added 17 and Ashley Vordermaier 16.

Southern retained first place following the win while West sit two wins outside the top five in eighth.