Persistence prevailed for the Magic, stealing a 93-87 upset win over the unbeaten St Kilda Saints in a blockbuster match-up of the two leading teams in men's A grade at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.
It was the game of the season with the Magic only clinching the win in the last minute of the match.
The lead bounced around all game and neither side could get well ahead.
In the first half, there were some deep shots being made and both teams shot six three-pointers by halftime.
The Saints flicked the switch at the start of the third quarter, lifting the tempo of the match, making a forceful push to control the game and gaining the first 10-point lead.
But the Magic would simply not go away and a late surge in the fourth quarter pulled the game back to a one-point game with five minutes to go.
The crowd was vocal as everyone was on the edge of their seat watching the lead change between the two teams.
Some clutch shooting and driving by Benoit Hayman helped the Magic to slip ahead - Hayman ending with 22 points.
The Saints played without key defender Damon Cleverley and, in the last four minutes, lost another big man James Nicol, who was fouled out.
Nicol had a strong performance under the hoop.
A massive three-pointer by Micah Lepaio cemented the win for the Magic, as the crowd ended the game with a standing ovation for both sides.
Lepaio had a standout performance making five clutch three-pointers and finished with 21 points.
Lepaio said he told the boys to stick with it.
"I just said ‘don't get your heads down. Get one stop at a time and work from there','' he said.
Saints guard James Ross had an excellent game, making seven three-pointers and ending with a whopping 41 points.
Ross said the game was tiring and that Magic just would not give up.
"It's a learning experience for us. We really fell off in the fourth quarter. We can't give them open looks or they will hit them every time,'' Ross said.
Magic's Josh Aitcheson was big under the hoop and fast around the court.
He said it was good to finally beat St Kilda and the team had really gelled.
In other games, University A forfeited after attempting to play with four men.
However, the game was abandoned at halftime with Bombers winning.
University B forfeited due to student holidays, giving the Falcons the win.
- Henry McMullan
