Two wins in two weeks for Lions

BASKETBALL

A STRONG finish has helped the Magic Lions to a second win in as many weeks.

Big man Nathan Hanna dominated the paint with 33 points as the side beat the Andy Bay Falcons 9384 in the men’s club competition on Saturday.

The result brought the Lions level on the table with the Falcons in a tie for fourth on three wins after eight games.

The Falcons held a twopoint lead heading into the final quarter. However, the Lions held them to eight fourthquarter points as they opened a gap the Falcons could not peg back.

Paden Kennedy had 17 firstquarter points for the Falcons — including five threepointers — while Dallas Hartmann (24 points) provided an equally potent threat for the Lions.

The Falcons led 3229 at the first break, before the Lions hit back as Hanna and shooting big man Joe McAuley (20 points) became prominent in giving them a 5448 halftime lead. They extended that to double digits, before some fullcourt pressure enabled the Falcons to generate turnovers, while Jaren Roy had 12 points in the quarter to help haul in the lead.

That left the score at 7674 heading into the last quarter. But the Lions defence locked in, while Hanna and Hartmann again proved key down the stretch to seal the win for the Lions.

Earlier, the St Kilda Saints were forced to work hard to extend their winning streak to seven games.

They trailed by eight heading into the final quarter against bottomofthetable Varsity.

However, they were able to hold the students to 12 fourthquarter points to win 8878.

James Ross led the way with 28 points, while Finn Barclay chipped in 22 and Tyler Lapham hit three triples in the final quarter.

Joseph Euphrat topscored for Varsity with 20 points.

The Mid City Magic redeemed their firstround loss to the City Rise Bombers with an 8874 win.

It had been tight early before the Magic opened a gap late in the third quarter.

Joe Ahie topscored with 25 points, while Mitch Hughan added 21.