Dandenong overturned a seven-point deficit in the last quarter to defeat Townsville 77-66 in the WNBL minor semi-final on Sunday.
The Rangers trailed 65-58 with just over seven minutes to go, but outscored the fading Fire 19-1 over the remainder of the game, notching the last 13 points.
Dandenong, who have won seven straight games, will play the preliminary final against minor premiers Adelaide, who they beat by 20 and 31-point margins in their past two encounters.
Townsville, coming off a midweek elimination final home win over Sydney, missed their last nine field goal attempts.
Jenna O’Hea topscored for Dandenong with 24, but it was Canadian centre Krista Phillips who shone brightest for the home team.
She tallied 17 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.
Phillips also shut down Shanavia Dowdell after halftime, the American scoring just two of her 16 points after the long break.
With Dowdell and Jess Foley (six points from two of 11 field goal attempts) struggling, it was teenager forward Nadeen Payne who kept Townsville competitive.
The Australian junior representative scored 18 points in just under 22 minutes.
Dandenong led by three at the first break and one at halftime.
There were seven lead changes in the first three and a half minutes of the third quarter before Townsville logged nine straight points and led by six at three-quarter time.