The Thunderbirds made a blistering start, racing out to a 6-1 lead and immediately putting the hosts on the back foot.
The hosts gradually settled, with Karin Burger producing a crucial pick-up to spark a response as the Lightning cut the margin to 8-4.
Despite their efforts to work back into the contest, Adelaide maintained control through the outstanding work of Kate Heffernan. The Kiwi international amassed 50 Net Points in the opening quarter, locking down her Player of the Match performance.
The Lightning continued to chip away at the deficit, but the Thunderbirds held firm to take an 18-14 lead into the first break.
Adelaide tightened its grip on the match in the second term, with relentless defensive pressure creating confidence issues for the Lightning attack. As the visitors continued to disrupt the hosts flow, Belinda Reynolds called a tactical timeout in an attempt to regroup her side.
A surprise move saw Burger sent to the bench despite her strong start, while the Lightning struggled to make meaningful inroads. A Mahalia Cassidy intercept briefly provided hope, but Sunshine Coast were unable to capitalise, turning the ball over at the other end.
The Thunderbirds restricted Lightning to just seven goals for the quarter, extending their advantage to 13 at halftime. The statistics highlighted the visitor's dominance, converting 100 per cent of their gains-to-goals compared to Sunshine Coast's 33 per cent. Combined with 97 per cent shooting accuracy, the visitors' ability to generate extra ball and punish turnovers proved decisive.
The Lightning showed greater intent after halftime, looking to move the ball quickly through court, but a held ball under the post halted one of their better passages of play and summed up a frustrating evening. Adelaide continued to show why they finished the regular season as minor premiers, stretching the margin to 18 goals heading into the Power Five.
With the Sunshine Coast struggling to transition cleanly from defence to attack, Gabby Sinclair drained the sides first Suncorp Super Shot before Donnell Wallam added another, but the late surge did little to dent Adelaide's advantage as they took a 51-34 lead into the final term.
The visitors continued to move the ball down court with ease in the final quarter while the Lightning struggled to consistently connect through the attacking transverse line. Sunshine Coast's fifth super shot briefly reduced the deficit, but only to 20 goals as Adelaide remained firmly in control.
A late turnover allowed Sinclair to finish with another two-point shot, but the Thunderbirds comfortably closed out the contest to secure a commanding 67-49 victory.
