Magic leads the way
ONLY one unbeaten.
The South Pac Magic held off a spirited Falcons Dandelions in the women’s club basketball topofthetable clash on Tuesday at the Edgar Centre.
It snapped the Dandelions’ seasonopening threematch win streak, putting them back in a tie for second with Ajax which claimed a win over the Andy Bay Falcons.
Magic guard Millie Simpson was influential for the Magic, getting to the hoop and often finishing through contact.
She had a gamehigh 20 points, while Stirling WalkerPitman and Fay Fualau were also key with 11 and nine respectively.
That trio helped give the Magic a buffer and it led 3423 at halftime.
However, the Dandelions did not let it get away.
League leading scorer Annabelle Ring — at 22.25 points per game — continued her strong form in dropping 17 points of her own.
She helped the Dandelions close the deficit to five, but again the Magic finished the quarter strongly to lead 5140 at the final break.
At that point the Dandelions piled on full court pressure and again made inroads.
The Magic began turning ball over and the Dandelions guards, notably Dre Whaanga and Sereana Rokotakala, were able to close the gap once more.
However, threepointers to WalkerPitman and Simpson helped keep the Magic ahead, before two baskets to Fualau helped close out the win.
Ajax extended its unbeaten run to three matches — its only loss coming on opening night to the Magic.
It beat the Falcons 6242, although was made to work for the win by a spirited Andy Bay side.
Ajax guard Hannah Matehaere continued her strong season.
She had 28 points, taking her to second, behind Ring, on 18.33 points per game, and carried it through the first half.
Nicole Ruske chipped in with 11, while Brittney Young topscored for the Falcons with 12.
In the late game Varsity claimed its first win of the season, 7451 over South Pac OGHS.
OGHS remained in touch for much of the game, forward Abby Harris influential with 19 points.
However, a strong finish helped Varsity pull away. Hannah RiddlePelchen and Holly McCleery led the students with 14 points each.
team
remains