Stars Surge To Big Home Win Over Magic

The Stars have collected their third win of the ANZ Premiership season with a dominant second half propelling them to a 56-39 victory over the Magic in Auckland.

If the first quarter was a Scooby Doo character it would be Scrappy, with both teams struggling to sustain flow with the ball as the respective defences made the attack work incredibly hard for every goal.

The match up between rising Stars shooting pairing Amelia Walmsley and Martina Salmon and Magic veterans Casey Kopua and Erena Mikaere provided a tantilizing chess match as each individual tried to anticipate the other's next move.

The Stars enjoyed the better of the quarter, with captain Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, celebrating her 100th game in the purple dress being a calming influence on many occasions to help the Stars to a 12-10 advantage at quarter-time.

The Stars continued to build momentum into the second quarter and it was the surrpise injection of Leana de Bruin at goal keep which helped the Stars roar to life.

Like Queen and David Bowie, de Bruin had the Magic shooters under pressure from the outset and she showed that class is permanent - forming a strong combination with Kate Burley and winning ball at crucial moments.

The Stars extended their lead by as many as five goals and while the Magic hit back with a late flurry - the Stars went into half-time up 24-21.

The Stars overwhelmed the Magic with a fast and ferocious start to the second quarter.

Passes were slick, shooting pin point and the defence dogged, as the Stars surged to a nine-goal advantage, leaving the Magic struggling to find answers of how to stop the tsunami of momentum.

Abbie Leger was rock solid in the wing defence bib, linking with Claire O'Brien at wing attack and helping maintain consistency as the ball travelled up the court.

The Stars were rewarded for bringing energy and getting their raucous home crowd involved and went into the final quarter up 41-31.

With the game wrapped up, the Stars continued to put on a show with some enterprising play.

Crystal Maro came into the shooting line up late in the quarter and Australian Kate Walsh earned her boarding pass, making her Stars debut at goal keep.

As the final whistle sounded the Stars came off the court to a round of applause and a 56-39 win.

De Bruin and Burley were phemonenal together at the defensive end - combining for 11 gains and four intercepts.

Walmsley and Salmon showcased their Silver Fern pedigree with outstanding work in front of goal throughout.

The Stars are off to the Garden City for a battle with the defending champion Tactix next Sunday.

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