No matter how physical the contest may be or how much of a battering the Canberra Capitals import takes, she continues to rise to the occasion.

The best part? Capitals coach Paul Goriss says "we've only seen glimpses" of what Epoupa can do.

Not bad for someone who is set to be one of the WNBL's brightest stars this season.

Epoupa played a starring role as the Capitals claimed an "ugly" yet thrilling 67-65 win over the Townsville Fire at the National Convention Centre on Sunday.

The French point guard posted 13 points, eight rebounds and seven steals - figures good enough to make five turnovers a mere side note in a grandstand finish.

"It's only two weeks in, and that's what I'll say to the group too," Goriss said.

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"We're still finding our rhythm both offensively and defensively as a group, especially when you bring in a new point guard who hasn't played in the league.

"Right now, we're only seeing probably 50 per cent of what Oli can do. [We will see more improvement] when she feels a bit more comfortable within the group.

"Her second half last week and then obviously coming down the stretch with the steals [on Sunday], she gets hands on the ball, she attacked the basket way better than we did last week.

"She just knows how to make big plays and win big games."

Marianna Tolo got through almost 18 minutes with the Capitals set to slowly increase her workload over the coming weeks following her return from a foot injury.

This time Tolo's return would not bring tears of joy like it did for Goriss last summer, but a steely resolve to a Canberra outfit with plenty more to give.

Kia Nurse still posted an equal game-high 16 points despite being heavily guarded by the Townsville defence.

It should come as little surprise given "she is a world class player and she just finds a way to get things done".

Kelsey Griffin posted another double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Keely Froling added 13 and three. And one can't forget 163cm guard Abby Cubillo blocking a shot from Townsville' 189cm star Abby Bishop.

It was Griffin's pressure on Fire point guard Julie Vanloo that saw Townsville last-ditch attempt to salvage the contest go awry after Canberra clawed their way back from an indifferent start.

"Every single practice I try to get better to improve myself, I have a team who like to help me," Epoupa said.

"We have to find our rhythm, we are a new team. Everyone has to be consistent and very careful in their execution.

"For us, communication is very important. In the first half we didn't find a good rhythm ... We made a good adjustment. In the last few minutes of the game, we made a stop and they couldn't find a solution."

Townsville remain winless after three games but coach Shannon Seebohm has plenty of room for optimism after Abby Bishop made a solid return in round two.

Bridget Carleton led the way for the visitors with 14 points but it ultimately wasn't enough for an outfit that fell agonisingly short of springing an upset.

"She is an experienced player, and being able to add her in there is going to help us immensely," Seebohm said.

"The thing for us is we need to have multiple contributors, it's not just her. Bridget stepped up today.

"When we get back to practice this week, we will look at some things offensively that we're doing that maybe will suit our group a little bit better and find a little bit more cohesion on the floor."

AT A GLANCE

WNBL round two: CANBERRA CAPITALS 67 (Kelsey Griffin 16, Kia Nurse 16, Keely Froling 13) bt TOWNSVILLE FIRE 65 (Bridget Carleton 14, Micaela Cocks 13, Abby Bishop 12) at National Convention Centre. Crowd: 1211.