It was far from convincing but First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic scored a crucial 53-49 win over a courageous Mercury Energy Tactix challenge in Rotorua tonight.
The result kept Magic's top-four play-off prospects alive after a courageous challenge from an injury-stricken Tactix. The visitors lost two of their starting seven - key defender Kasey Evering and integral midcourter Phillipa Finch - to serious knee injuries in the past week.
With nothing to lose, Tactix threw everything into the game but even a perfect shooting game from Donna Wilkins, who potted 30 goals from 30 attempts, could not completely shut out the home team. It was a struggle all the way for Magic, who gained some momentum in the final quarter to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Magic enjoyed the greater share of possession in the opening stanza, feeding off Tactix' turnovers to build a lead. The home team found a relatively easy passage through court, working the ball patiently until the gaps in the circle opened to shooters Julianna Naoupu and Irene van Dyk.
At the other end of the court, Magic's defensive wall stalled Tactix' attacking options. In the midcourt Laura Langman and Peta Scholz made life tough for the visitors' flow and progress on attack, picking off vital turnover ball while the tall timber of Casey Williams and rising young defender Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick also claimed their share.
Magic made the most of their opportunities to grab a 15-11 lead going into the first break. The injection of Frances Solia at wing attack for Jess Tuki and Jamilah Gupwell for Naoupu did little to enhance Magic's fortunes as they bumbled their way through a forgettable second stanza.
Showing a lift in energy, Tactix came out full of intent with defenders Anna Galvan and Charlotte Kight hunting the ball at every opportunity with great success. At the other end, the visitors found their feet on attack, goal attack Anna Thompson showing her playmaking skills with plenty of movement and variety. Ably supported by Wilkins, the pair was at the forefront of the Tactix' resurgence.
Even with wing defence Finau Pulu stood down for three goals for persistent infringing, the Tactix did not back down, posting the three goals on their own card while down to six players. Hesitancy and a host of unforced errors crept into Magic's game as Tactix fought their way back to level terms as the teams went to the main interval locked at 25-all.
Magic reverted to the players who have served the team for most of the season as the intensity and physicality lifted during a testing third term. Both teams had their moments with neither able to make a decisive break in a stanza dominated by the whistle.
Magic had another disjointed quarter, the challenging defence getting the better of Naoupu while the visitors were crisper and more accurate through court. On the back of some fine play from Wilkins and Thompson, Tactix briefly found themselves in the lead before Magic finished with a flourish to keep the teams locked at 38-all heading down the home straight.
Van Dyk rose to the occasion in a battling fourth quarter on the back of greater composure, experience and patience from her team-mates as they wound up to a five-goal lead with 10 minutes to go. The veteran shooter sunk the crucial goals as Magic finally lifted their urgency levels to put themselves in a winning position. Van Dyk finished with just the one miss, shooting 36 from 37 for a 97 percent success rate.
