Tactix go on scoring spree

A defensive masterclass from Silver Fern Karin Burger laid the foundation as Mainland Tactix handed Waikato-Bay of Plenty their ninth successive defeat in the ANZ Premiership.

Burger picked off six interceptions to help the fourthplace Tactix register a recordbreaking 68-51 win at Trafalgar Centre in Nelson last night to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the final.

Most of the damage was done during a scintillating opening quarter as the Tactix sprinted out of the blocks 22-11, their highest score in a single 15-minute period, to put the Magic on the back foot.

The Magic responded well after a halftime pep talk from coach Amigene Metcalfe and shaded the third quarter 16-14, but they lost their way again in the fourth as the Tactix racked up their biggest ever win.

Already without the injured Grace Kara, the Magic were not helped when high-profile signing Caitlin Bassett limped off with a knee injury after landing awkwardly while taking a pass in the final quarter.

The Australian international was accurate under the net, scoring 32 from 33, but the feed into the shooting circle was not always up to standard.

Ellie Bird led the scoring for the Tactix with 47 from 58 despite twice taking a seat on the bench as the one-sided scoreline allowed 17-year-old school student Amelia Walmsley to get some valuable court time.