The school team built its lead in the first half of the game, maintained it in the third quarter and extended it in the final 15 minutes.
Errors, particularly loose passes, were Phys Ed’s downfall.
St Kilda’s goal keep Emma McKay was a standout player, picking up plenty of intercepts and tips in the defensive end.
That helped her team create a 12-goal lead halfway through the final quarter, which was the largest margin of the game.
The team was at its best when it utilised goal shoot Sofie Bain’s height advantage over Phys Ed’s defenders and lobbed the ball in to her.
She was paired with goal attack Grace Southby, who was able to cut in front of the defenders while Bain held space under the hoop, leaving the team with multiple options on attack.
The first quarter was the most evenly matched and both teams took some time to settle into their work.
Phys Ed was the first to pull away slightly, scoring three in a row, before St Hilda’s hit back with a run of four goals.
The school team ended the quarter with three unanswered goals to give it a three-goal lead.
That lead was pushed out to eight in the second period.
Centre Danielle Willsman had a good connection with Bain, looking into the circle early and throwing long, high passes in to her.
Down by six, Phys Ed made its way back in the game to narrow the margin.
Its goal attack, Breigh Monaghan, was fast through the court and created space in the shooting circle, which helped her team to score quickly.
Goal shoot EJ Alter was a tall target in the circle and scored the bulk of the goals.
However, St Hilda’s withstood Phys Ed’s comeback and scored three of its own.
Both teams made changes in the second half, most notably St Hilda’s replacing Bain with Ella Southby.
The Southby sisters were a more mobile shooting combination, passed the ball between them and shot from long range.
When Phys Ed was able to interrupt St Hilda’s attack and win the ball, it was quick to get it down court and score.
Wing defence Phoebe Aburn worked tirelessly to create turnovers and nabbed intercepts and tips throughout the game.
Bain was reintroduced in the final quarter, and St Hilda’s extended its lead to take its second win of the season.
In other games, Phys Ed A beat South Pacific Titans 63-54, Southern Magpies defeated Uni Albion A 65-44, and College beat Phys Ed B 50-48.
