The Laois team went blow for blow with the league leaders on Saturday.
Portlaoise Panthers fell to their fifth Super League loss of the season over the weekend.
The Laois club were up against the table-topping SETU Waterford Wildcats at Mercy College in the South East on Saturday.
The teams were level six times over the course of the last quarter alone.
The league leaders emerged from a thrilling contest as four point winners, 70-66.
For the Panthers, Lynn Tunnah and Amy Dooley top scored with 19 points each.
Keith Conroy's side return to action this weekend against Gurranabraher Brunell.