Melbourne Tiger Andrew Gaze turned back the clock to turn over the Hunter Pirates with a sensational nine-point NBL comeback victory at the State Netball Centre.

Gaze pulled the Tigers back from a 19-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Pirates 112-103 with a remarkable virtuoso performance.

Gaze top-scored with 32 points, scoring four three-pointers in the third term to drag his team back into a match it looked well and truly out of.

The 39-year-old hit a big three-pointer to kick off a 26-7 run from midway through the third term, then hit three more from the perimeter to energise his team which fought back to level at 85-85 going into the final quarter.

Then Lanard Copeland hit two early three-pointers to put the Tigers in the box seat as they pushed the lead out to nine by the close.

Pirates import Brian Wethers top-scored with 30 for his side - 17 of them coming in a stunning first-quarter onslaught.

The Tigers move to an 8-9 win-loss record, with the Pirates slipping to 7-11 and a road record of 1-7.

The Tigers also had a solid cameo from sixth man Darryl McDonald, who also provided a third quarter catalyst with two big assists and two steals in limited minutes.

Pirates coach Adrian Hurley lamented his side's tendency to fade out while in winning positions and questioned their mental and physical toughness.

"We led this by 19, Sydney by 17, Adelaide by 14 - all in the third quarter," Hurley said.

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