Mooney scored her last 72 runs off 36 balls, but faced only five of the final 25 deliveries in Giants' innings (from which she made 11) as a succession of batters scored 34 off 20 for the loss of three wickets at the other end.
If she was frustrated, as new batter Bharti Fulmali swished and missed at the penultimate ball instead of dabbing it for a single, she did not show it, evincing just a wry smile as the innings closed on 5-186
To the disappointment of a large home crowd in Lucknow that proved way too many for UP Warriorz. They were 2-2, 4-25 and 6-48 before being dismissed for 105, beaten by 81 runs with 17 balls remaining. Georgia Voll, making her debut having been summoned as an injury replacement, fell for a third-ball duck while Grace Harris was one of the few to put up any resistance, making 25.
"The game was set up brilliantly by Beth Mooney with the fantastic 96," said Giants captain Ash Gardner.
"It was just playful," said another Giants and Australia teammate Phobe Litchfield of Mooney's innings. "She's a 360 (-degree) player and she was putting balls outside the leg over cover.
"Once Beth Mooney's in, it's really hard to get her out. Once she gets over 20, you're in trouble and the way she hit the ball tonight was truly spectacular and a pleasure to watch."
Mooney had come into the game in poor form with 84 from five innings, her place secure as much because she is Giants' only wicketkeeper as her reputation.
But having moved carefully to 24 off 23 balls she advanced down the track to drive Sophie Ecclestone for four and never looked back, straight-driving in particular with brutal power and perfect placement with 49 runs coming in that area.
The modest Mooney paid tribute to her teammates Harleen Deol (45 off 32) and Deandra Dottin (17 off eight), before saying: "I've probably faced a lot of their bowlers in international cricket and in the WPL, so I understood what their plan is going to be. They gave me a few balls to hit down the ground today which is nice."
Mooney has also made 97no and 99no in England's Hundred competition without reaching three figures, but does have two T20 centuries for Australia and three in the Women's Big Bash League.
Mooney's innings followed an unbeaten 90 by Elysse Perry a week ago leaving New Zealander Sophie Devine's 99 in the WPL's first season, 2023, as still the highest individual score, though Mooney is now equal second with Alyssa Healy, who made 96* eight days before Devine's knock.
Giants are now second in the five-team table, four points behind Delhi Capital and ahead of Mumbai Indians on net-run-rate. Warriorz, like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, are two points behind.
