College overcame a 10-goal deficit as it pulled away in the final quarter to claim a thrilling 61-51 win and hand Southern its first loss of the Dunedin club netball season.
The result saw the defending champion slip to its first loss of the season, now ahead of College only on goal difference.
That seemed unlikely early on, as Southern appeared to be cruising midway through the second quarter.
After leading 17-12 at the end of the first quarter, it extended that to 23-13.
It was proving difficult to stop on attack, while forcing College into turnovers and capitalising at the other end.
Steel player Jamie Hume's introduction at wing attack for College proved the turning point.
She had an immediate impact, causing a momentum swing and allowing College to fight back towards the end of the second quarter.
College cut Southern's lead, getting back to 26-23 at one point.
Southern finished the quarter strongly though and took a 31-25 lead to halftime.
From there it was all College.
Hume again showed her class, passing strongly and accurately and proving difficult to defend, while anticipating the play well on defence.
She worked well with shooters Isabella Masani and Kiana Pelasio and the Southern defence had no answer.
College took the lead for the first time late in the third quarter before Southern edged back in front 41-40 going into the final break.
However, college got the job done in a 20-10 final quarter.
It lifted its pace again, but also showed patience and the willingness to work the circle to get quality shots.
The shooters kept piling on the points, while Sophie Napper was at her disruptive best in the midcourt, pulling off several key interceptions.
Masani finished with 48 goals from 52 attempts, doing well to establish position close to the goal and showing both her own dominance, but also the passing games of Pelasio and Hume.
Meanwhile Southern could not regain its flow, managing just 20 goals in the second half.
College finished with five more goal attempts, but it shot 87% - including 95% in the fourth quarter - to Southern's 78%.
In other games, Phys Ed A remained unbeaten with a 56-51 win over University-Albion A, St Hilda's Collegiate claimed a 60-40 win over University-Albion B and Phys Ed B beat Southern Tui 62-47.
