Buoyed by a first win of their campaign against Perth on Friday, the Capitals were looking to throw another spanner in the finals works at Logan, but succumbed 81-76.

Canberra centre DeNesha Stallworth (21 points, seven rebounds) delivered a big performance against her former side, but the Stars did enough to take a huge step toward a finals berth.

The Capitals led by a point at three-quarter-time, but a 13-2 run midway through the final quarter proved the decisive blow for the hosts, despite double doubles from Steph Talbot (12 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, seven turnovers) and Abby Bishop (11 points, 12 rebounds).

American forward Jordan Hooper, recruited by the Stars mid-season to replace Stallworth, scored 22 points, Ify Ibekwe (18 points, 17 rebounds) was huge off the bench while Rachel Jarry (13 points, nine assists) pulled the strings.

The nail-biter was in stark contrast to the Capitals' last trip to Logan in January, where they were humbled 115-75.

The Capitals will be desperate to end a season to forget strongly when they send off coach Carrie Graf and guard Jess Bibby at home against Bendigo on Saturday.

Graf will step down by coaching the most wins in WNBL history, and six titles from 15 seasons in Canberra.

Bibby broke the WNBL games record this year, and holds the benchmark for most three-pointers.

South-East Queensland (14-8) have been placed in liquidation in their first season in the league, but now look set to square off for the title after a sixth straight win.

The Stars are now two games ahead of Bendigo (12-10) in the race for fourth spot, who lost 92-78 to Adelaide on Sunday. However, Bendigo and the Stars both have double headers in next week's final round, and the Spirit hold the season split.

SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND STARS 81 (J Hooper 22 pts; R Jarry 13 pts, 9 rebs; I Ibekwe 18 pts, 17 rebs) bt CANBERRA CAPITALS 76 (D Stallworth 21 pts; R Montgomery 18 pts, 5 assts; S Talbot 12 pts, 16 rebs, 5 assists; A Bishop 11 pts, 12 rebs) at Logan on Sunday.