The line-up for tickets spilled out the AIS Arena entrance as fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the Australian Opals star's first home game for the Capitals since 2010.

Although her shooting was rusty (3-13 from field), Jackson racked up 10 points, eight rebounds and an assist in 24 minutes in her second game back from a long injury layoff.

In front of 1133 fans, the Capitals exploited their dominance inside with MVP candidate Abby Bishop (35 points, 11 rebounds) again outstanding.

But led by Dandenong star Penny Taylor (30 points, 9-11 FG, seven rebounds), the Rangers shot 56 per cent from the field to claim the season split over Canberra, putting their finals hopes on the ropes.

In what Rangers coach Mark Wright called "a game for the ages", late three point attempts from Jackson and teammate Kristen Veal both rimmed out, and the Rangers (8-7) executed better down the stretch to leap to third on the ladder.

At 85-83 with 22 seconds left the Capitals forced a turnover, but Steph Talbot (12 points, six rebounds) missed one of two free throws and the Rangers finished the job from the charity stripe.

Dandenong's talent-stacked back court put on a jump shooting clinic, Kathleen MacLeod (18 points) and WNBA star Cappie Pondexter (17) both strong.

Now 6-9, the sixth-placed Capitals must win at least six of their remaining seven games to avoid missing the WNBL play-offs for a fourth straight year.

Jackson felt better than her initial outing at Adelaide a fortnight ago, where her 13 points were pivotal in a three-point win. She was particularly influential controlling the paint defensively.

She admitted the Capitals faced a challenge to make the top four, but refused to give in.

"We do have our work cut out for us, but we can only get better from here," Jackson said.

"It felt so good to be back here playing, and it's going to take a while for me. My shooting ... I don't have any strength in my right leg yet.

"I feel really positive after that, I felt much better than I did against Adelaide. Especially when Abby is doing so much damage, we have to focus on going inside where we're dominant."

Fans mobbed Jackson and Taylor afterwards, with both commanding a line of autograph seekers.

It was the first time the star duo had both been on the AIS court since 2002, the last year Taylor was in the league.

"That win is huge for us. At some points I was just sitting back and watching the talent on the court, it was unbelievable," Taylor said.

"Being in this arena for me is very strange, I haven't played here in well over 10 years. All those memories come back to you and where myself and Lauren were at that point in our lives [as AIS scholarship holders]. We had all these goals we wanted to achieve, and I've managed to achieve a lot of them."

Taylor is hopeful her and Jackson's bodies will hold up for another tilt at an elusive Olympic gold medal at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The 33-year-old has had her fair share of injury drama, having missed 18 months with a knee injury, including the London Games.

"I don't take it for granted I'll be there because the last few years have been rocky for me," she said. "But I hope so and if we can all stay healthy, along with the young talent we saw at the worlds [where Australia won bronze], I think we'll be really exciting.

"With Lauren I know better than anyone it's a process, you just don't jump out on the court and expect to be the way you were. She's still six foot five and awesomely talented, she'll get there in no time."

Capitals guard Jess Bibby broke Michelle Timms' all-time record for most three-pointers in the WNBL with her 538th late in the first half.

WNBL

DANDENONG RANGERS 89 (Penny Taylor 30, Kathleen MacLeod 18, Cappie Pondexter 17) bt Canberra Capitals 84 (Abby Bishop 34, Carly Wilson 13, Steph Talbot 12) at AIS Arena on Sunday. Crowd: 1133