IT was a big weekend of basketball for the Millicent Magic women, with two games set down on their home court in Round 5 of the Country Basketball League South West conference.
The Magic hosted Bellarine Storm in a breast cancer awareness match Saturday night, easily taking care of business with a 104-54 victory, before backing up Sunday against the previously undefeated Portland Coasters for a tight 72-68 win.
Saturday’s game saw a big crowd flock into the Peter Seebohm stadium to support the breast cancer fundraiser and the fans were not disappointed as the Magic put on a clinic.
Millicent opened the game with back-to-back two-point baskets from Olivia Fuller, before the Storm could respond.
Fuller then added another basket, with Emily Winter completing a three-point play after being fouled on her way to the hoop.
When Fuller added her fourth of the game just three minutes in, the Magic were out to a nine-point lead and already the writing was on the wall.
By the first break the margin was 17 points and the Magic simply went on from there.
While the Storm hit the first points of the second term with a big three, the likes of Fuller, Georgia Winter and Keely Venn simply ran rampant.
Mid-way through the term the scoreline read 41-17 and Bellarine was fighting for survival.
There was no way of slowing the Magic’s momentum, with the baskets coming thick and fast in what became an emphatic victory.
Emily Winter topped the score sheets with 31 points, followed by Fuller with 27, while Alana and Georgia Winter managed 14 points each.
Sunday saw a tougher prospect against the top-placed Coasters.
Millicent was on the back foot early and trailed by three points heading into the first break.
Fuller continued her good form, while Olivia Slattery hit an important two-point basket late in the term, plus went to the line for two free shots as the quarter wound down to keep the Magic in touch.
Portland continued its assault in the second term, but back-to-back baskets from Fuller and Slattery tied the game up after four minutes of play.
The arm wrestle continued, with the Magic gaining the upper hand in the third term, but the game was tied up at the final break.
Millicent opened a six-point lead early in the final stanza, but could not break away, with the Coasters pushing hard.
Scores were again tied with three minutes to play, when Alana Winter put the Magic ahead with a two-point basket.
As the clock wound down Millicent held the advantage and Emily Winter finished the game off with a pair of free throws for the four-point victory.
She topped the score sheets with 21 points, while Fuller (15) and Alana Winter (11) were the only other two Magic players to reach double figures.
Millicent now sits third on the ladder, with five wins from seven games.
