It may have been an upset, but if anything the score flattered the defending champions.
The City Rise Bombers ended the three-time defending champion Mid City Magic’s unbeaten start to the Dunedin men’s club season at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.
They built up a double-digit lead and emerged 80-69 winners to leave three teams tied atop the table with 3-1 records.
In the absence of key player Olly Smith, the Bombers got plenty of production from guard Tom Davison, who moved to the club this year.
Davison had 20 points and created a handful of other opportunities, while forward Josh O’Connell also chipped in with 18.
The Magic — still without Tai Porima-Flavell — could not get its offence going. Its energy was missing and it struggled against the Bombers’ zone.
Aaron Roydhouse was a handful inside, while Mitch Hughan proved the only outside threat.
That duo posted 19 points each, but the remainder of the team went cold.
The Bombers shot out to an early lead before a pair of three-pointers to Magic guard Joe Ahie closed the gap.
However, three consecutive baskets to Bombers big man James Collins made it 24-14 at the end of the first quarter.
That lead continued to grow in an increasingly physical second quarter.
The Magic proved unable to score inside, only two of its 14 points coming inside the arc.
It leaned on Hughan’s outside shooting, but the reliance on the three-pointer on a cold day allowed the Bombers to streak away.
In contrast, the Bombers were able to get looks at the hoop, extending the lead to 43-28 at halftime.
The Magic began feeding centre Aaron Roydhouse, who used his strength and mobility to provide scoring inside.
But the Bombers held their double-digit lead at the final break and while the Magic threatened a comeback, it was unable to complete it.
It again could not hit from the perimeter while Davison did his damage from mid-range.
The St Kilda Saints also moved to three wins.
James Ross led the way with 20 points as they overcame Varsity 88-66.
In the late game, Emerson Watson had 33 points as the Andy Bay Falcons beat the Magic Lions 95-74.
