Pearce stars in Lions’ win over Bombers
A STRONG start and equally effective finish has spurred the Magic Lions to victory over one of their closest foes.
The Lions had to withstand a rampant thirdquarter comeback, but ultimately emerged 8872 victors over the City Rise Bombers as the second round of men's club basketball began on Saturday.
They amassed 31 points in the first quarter, at one point leading 4018 early in the second.
A lull in their offence reduced the margin to three at 5855, midway through the third quarter.
But the Lions responded to ensure the lead stayed with them, before holding the Bombers scoreless for a long period in the final quarter.
Max Pearce did the majority of the damage early.
The Lions big man had 17 of his 23 points in a devastating firstquarter display.
He did his damage all over, equally adept at stepping out and hitting two threepointers as he was finishing inside at the hoop.
That helped the Lions out to a 3116 lead and, while Pearce was unable to keep going at that rate, his teammates stepped up to fill the void.
Guard Jamal Todd (22 points) used his speed driving right to get to the hoop, taking the Magic lead to over 20 points early in the second quarter.
At that point, the Bombers offence finally began to click.
Caleb Smiler (16 points) showed his ability to get to the line, while Lukin Tayles (12 points) hit from deep, before his transition layup forced the Lions into a timeout at 4633.
That was how the score remained at halftime, before the Lions offence completely dried up in the third quarter.
Smiler and Ben Hoskin (12 points) propelled the Bombers on a 204 run, pulling to within three points of the Lions.
However, at that point the Lions rallied.
They moved the ball well, breaking down the Bombers zone and Toby Kendon's (15 points) ability to finish inside came to the fore.
That helped the Lions lead 6457 at the final break, before the Bombers offence flatlined once more and the Lions cruised away.
The win puts the Lions in a clear thirdplace in the league, with a 42 record, while the Bombers languish at 15.
In other games, Patrick Freeman and Dallas Hartmann had 36 and 31 points respectively as the Mid City Magic beat the Andy Bay Falcons 10087.
Toby Lewis topscored for the Falcons with 21.
The St Kilda Saints extended their unbeaten run to six matches, with an 8168 win over Varsity.
Lawson MorrisWhyte led the Saints with 17 points.