THE Magic returned to the winners list with a 77-72 win over the Shoalhaven Tigers in front of a large crowd at the Tigers Den in Bomaderry on Saturday night.
In the last few weeks, the Magic have led their matches all the way only to be beaten in the final quarter.
On Saturday night, the match was set up for a repeat performance.
The Magic blew the Tigers off the court in the first half to lead 49-24 at the main break.
Their lead was pegged back to 11-points at three-qaurter time and Moss Vale’s supporters were wondering if it would be the case of another “one to get away”.
But Jason and Todd Bentley and captain “Stormin’” Norman Taylor showed their experience in the final term to see the Magic home by five points.
Moss Vale started the game with the same intensity and emphasis on defence that saw them dominate Griffith in the first quarter last week.
The Tigers simply had no answers to Moss Vale’s intensity and were unable to trouble the scorers as the Magic went to the first break leading 17-5.
Moss Vale were on fire from the three-point line in the first quarter with Clint Bentley, Ricky Martin and Adam Garello all hitting triples against the Tigers zone defence.
The second quarter was no different as the Magic got on a roll and pushed their lead out to 20 points as their defensive pressure continued to frustrate the Tigers into turnovers and forced shots.
Early in the second quarter, coach Kev Campbell introduced young guns Dayne Hutchinson and Tom Meyers with immediate results.
Meyers showed that he was not going to be overawed by the occassion by hitting a deep three-pointer and playing some strong defence while Hutchinson chipped in with a timely basket.
Ben Hayman used his speed to finish off a fast break for the Magic as their bench players showed they all wanted a piece of the action.
Vice captain Clint Bentley stepped up and put his stamp on the game hitting three consecutive three pointers on his way to 16 points for the half to lead all scorers as the Magic took a 49-24 lead into the main break.
Shoalhaven coach Kerrieanne Floyd must have said something special to her players at half time as the Tigers came out firing in the third period hitting shots from everywhere.
A huge third quarter from Shoalhaven saw the lead reduced to 63-52 at the final break.
Not long after, the Magic looked to be in trouble when star point guard Ricky Martin was fouled out of the game.
But Taylor, together with Todd and Jason Bentley, showed experience down the stretch to keep the Magic composed under pressure in the final term.
Adam Garello finished off some nice plays as the Magic got the lead back out to 11 in the last minute before a few late three-pointers and a buzzer beater put some respectability back into the final score.
Top scorers for the Magic were Clint Bentley with 16 points, Taylor 12, Jason Bentley 11 and Garello 10.
The Freedom Hair Design MVP for the game was Clint Bentley.
The Magic have a week off before taking on league leaders the Queanbeyan Yowies at Moss Vale on Saturday May 23.