Patient Stars stifle Magic shooters
The Stars held the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic scoreless for more than nine minutes during the third quarter on their way to a 47-39 win in the ANZ Premiership yesterday.
When Bailey Mes scored for the Magic four minutes into that period at Pulman Arena, the margin was a single goal.
By the time Ivana Rowland ended a drought that included five misses by her and her shooting partner, the Stars were up by nine and the contest was over.
That the Magic had kept this one so close in the first two quarters was somewhat of a surprise, given their winless run since beating the Northern Mystics in the opening round.
Mes led the way as they opened up an early five-goal lead, but by the end of the first period, their advantage had been squeezed to two.
The Magic rallied in the last quarter and closed within seven at one point, but the margin grew to eight by the final whistle.
Best on court
Anna Harrison was playing her 150th national league match and was active in the heart of the Stars defence, finishing with five interceptions.
The big moment
The Magic had done so well for the first 29 minutes of the match, but in the 60 seconds before the halftime break, they came undone, turning the ball over and allowing the Stars to open up a three-goal lead – their largest of the contest to that point.
Match rating: 7/10
This one finished with the Stars winning emphatically, but it was surprisingly close until the third quarter.
The big picture
There were promising signs for the Magic and they could have a good chance against Tactix today. The Stars face the Mystics today.