Magic edges Falcons to remain unbeaten
THE Mid City Magic is being made to work hard this year, but it keeps finding ways to win.
It overcame a slow start to edge the Andy Bay Falcons 8984 on Saturday, remaining unbeaten in Dunedin club basketball.
The third quarter proved key, the Magic taking that period 2918 to get in front after trailing by double digits midway through the second.
Point guard Darcy Knox led the way with 27 points, his speed off the dribble proving difficult to contain.
That gave the Magic penetration, which proved a valuable source of scoring.
Alongside Knox’s ability to get to the hoop, it provided dumpoff opportunities under the basket when the Falcons’ defensive rotations were slow.
It also helped the
Magic get to the line, where it shot 42 free throws.
Rebounding was the other area the Magic dominated.
It grabbed 55 boards to the Falcons’ 36, including 20 at the offensive end.
Despite that, the Falcons had the better start.
They scored 21 points in a fiveminute flurry to open the game, running well and attacking aggressively in transition.
Hamish Robertson was key in that regard, getting to the hoop with ease to finish the quarter with 10 points.
That scoring slowed as the Magic fought back, but the Falcons went to the break with a 2923 lead.
The gap reopened to 4131 midway through the second.
Falcons guard Tom Davison’s speed and midrange game led him to 10 points of his own in that quarter.
But again, the Magic clawed its way back. It drew 11 fouls through the quarter, enabling it to get to the line and bring the score to 4339 at halftime.
That momentum continued into the third, Knox scoring 13 of the Magic’s 29 points as turnovers crept into the Falcons’ game.
The lead changed hands and the Magic went to the final break ahead 6861.
It extended that to double digits before the Falcons fought back again and threepointers to Tyler Lapham and Davison closed it to three.
However, with just four seconds remaining, it proved too late. A Benoit Hayman layup on the buzzer sealed victory for the Magic.
Alongside Knox’s 27, the Magic got handy contributions from the majority of its players, Hayman having the next most with 14.
Robertson and Davison led the way for the Falcons with 25 and 21 each.
Earlier, the St Kilda Saints rode a 33point performance to claim a 7262 comeback victory over Varsity.
Without Matt Gillan and its two Southland Sharks players the side was understrength, but held Varsity to 24 points in the second half to get the job done.
In the early game, Olly Smith had 31 points for the City Rise Bombers in a 9783 win over the Magic Lions.