The Magic Lions held off a comeback and pulled away to take a big step towards the top four.
They beat the St Kilda Bullets 100-74 in a midweek round of men’s club basketball on Thursday night.
The Bullets held the Lions to 42-36 at halftime, and remained in touch until midway through the third quarter.
However, the Lions gained separation from there to win the battle of the two club second teams.
Forward Max Pearce led the Lions with 27 points, while Max Foote had 19 for the Bullets.
It leaves the Lions on five wins and, while they are far from assured of a playoff spot, it gives them a leg up over their closest rivals — the Andy Bay Falcons and City Rise Bombers, both of whom have games in hand.
In the night’s early game, the St Kilda Saints were pushed for a quarter-and-a-half by the Bombers, before running out 99-48 victors.
Danyon Ashcroft led the Saints with 29 points, while Olly Smith had 13 for the Bombers.
The Saints remain unbeaten atop the table, having locked in one of the top two spots, alongside the Mid City Magic — which had a bye last night.
The Bombers remain on three wins, but have the easiest run into the post-season of the three teams competing for the final spots.
Meanwhile the Falcons — who have four wins and two games in hand over the Lions — will play Varsity in the upcoming weeks, the students having asked for a deferral.
In last Saturday’s games the Saints held off the Lions 90-84, the Magic beat the Bombers 74-67 and Varsity edged the Bullets 69-67.
