Ajax, Magic maintain winning runs

THE two top teams have extended their lead in the Dunedin women’s club basketball competition.

Ajax and the South Pacific Magic both notched wins on Tuesday night to each claim their fourth success of the season.

Strong second and third quarters helped push Ajax past the Andy Bay Falcons, after trailing by five at the end of the first period.

It piled on 27 points in the second, before holding the Falcons to seven in the third to open up a 22point gap heading into the final break.

It eventually ran out an 8157 winner.

Nicole Ruske topscored with 25 points, while Danielle Frost had 15 and Natalie Smith chipped in with 10.

The Falcons leant heavily on twins Zoe and Brittany Richards, who each scored 20 points. Brittany hit six threepointers.

In the other game the Magic shot out to a 219 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to sink Varsity 7963.

The opening period proved key as the other quarters proved relatively close.

The Magic extended its lead to 4025 at halftime before Varsity pulled back to 5342 at the end of the third.

However Varsity was unable to complete the comeback, as a 26point fourth quarter proved enough to the Magic over the line.

Soraya UmagaJensen led the winning side in scoring with 19 points, while Sophie Johns added 17.

Jeanie Pattison did the best in points for Varsity with 23.