Similar fate for Kia Magic against Pulse
Kia Magic missed the opportunity to take the outright lead on the points table when losing 54-44 to the Central Pulse in Wellington on Monday.
The result kept Pulse’s season alive while consigning Magic to just their second loss of the season after suffering a similar fate against the same opposition four weeks ago.
Not a lot went right for Magic, a fired-up Pulse, in a must-win match for them, getting the upper hand through their weight of experience, dogged determination and superior finishing.
Magic were again left a little exposed on attack, struggling for options at times against a stifling defence.
Jamie-Lee Price got the nod at wing defence for Magic ahead of Bessie Manu while Millie Lees was the preferred starter at wing attack for Pulse ahead of Liana Leota.
The visitors got away to a brisk start, showing plenty of patience and movement on attack before finding openings in the circle, shooters Jo Harten and Ellen Halpenny often finding prime positioning.
Harten’s radar was on track early, equally confident from long or short range as Magic sprung into a handy lead.
In a match where there was plenty of feeling and physicality, Pulse faltered slightly on the back of errors, Magic dining out to take an early six-goal lead. However, Pulse replied strongly with ever-green shooter Donna Wilkins matching Harten’s prowess under the hoop to close the gap to just two with Magic taking a 15-13 lead into the first break.
Magic started in similar fashion on the resumption, the willing contest showing no signs of abating as the visitors held a slight edge when forging a four-goal buffer. Again, their advantage was short-lived, the threatening-looking Pulse pouncing with a relentless defensive effort as they raced away to a nine-goal unanswered scoring spree.
Pulse defenders Katrina Grant and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit caused more than a few anxious moments, the Magic shooters experiencing some wobbles under the hoop, the pair quick to snap up rebound ball as the home team raced into the lead for the first time.
Winning the quarter 14-9 propelled the Pulse into a 27-24 lead at the main break and from there they barely gave the Magic a look in, surging ahead on their rising confidence and a willing home crowd.
Magic struggled to break the shackles on attack during the third stanza, oppressive defence from Millie Lees, Joline Henry, Selby-Rickit and Grant causing hesitation and lack of flow for the visitors.
With wily campaigners Irene van Dyk and Wilkins gaining the upper hand in the Pulse shooting circle, Magic had few answers, often being hustled and bustled into error.
With the home team’s confidence riding high and very little going Magic’s way, Pulse shot out to a 10-goal lead before the home team settled for a handy 42-34 lead at the last break.
With Halpenny struggling to convert her shots, Malia Paseka came on for her Magic debut in the fourth quarter at goal shoot, Harten, who finished with a creditable 31 shots from 36 attempts, moving to goal attack while Manu took over from Price at wing defence.
