Magic Defeated The Go Media Stars 72-51 In Hamilton

2 June, 2025

The Go Media Stars have been soundly beaten by the Magic 71-52 in their round four ANZ Premiership match in Hamilton.

In what was a pivotal contest for both teams, it was a cagey affair in the beginning, with each side cautious with the ball and trying not to make any errors.

Errors did eventually creep in, with both teams burned on various occasions and neither able to assert any real form of dominance.

Stars shooter Charlie Bell was a pillar of power underneath the hoop and made a strong start to the game, netting nine of her first 10 attempts at goal and was well supported by Maia Wilson.

The Stars increased their defensive strangle hold on the Magic attack and pressure eventually turned into reward, with goal keep Remi Kamo forcing a pivotal turnover, with the Stars trying to gain momentum.

The super shot window was met with apprehension, as only one two-pointer was attempted at the end of the quarter, unsuccessfully by Wilson and with the Magic enjoying a later-quarter flurry, the Stars found themselves behind 17-14 after one.

The Stars made a fast start to the second quarter, as they tried to eat away at the three goal deficit and swiftly cut the Magic's lead down to one.

As the Stars desperately chased their first lead of the game, an increase in tempo became hard to maintain and further errors crept in and the Stars were duly punished by the Magic, whose lead had ballooned to seven.

Wilson entered the fray in timely manor with a much needed two-point super shot to give the Stars life late in the half.

However, a couple of missed two-pointer attempts as the seconds ticked down, allowed the Magic to further consolidate their lead - ahead 33-25 at the break.

Whatever was said by Stars coach Temepara Bailey to motivate her side ahead of the second half definitely worked, with the Stars bolting out the gates, stunning the Magic with their intensity and confidence.

Passes were being timed to perfection and with slick play came composure in front of goal, with the Stars continually chipping away at the deficit, led by mid-courter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan who added some classy touched on attack.

The Magic were feeling the pressure being applied by the Stars and started to make an avalanche of mistakes, which further galvanised the Stars and they were suddenly just two goals adrift. Kayla Johnson was brought on at goal defence and her experience was much needed.

The Magic called a much-needed time-out and it gave them a chance to take a deep breath and recompose themselves and break the Stars' momentum with a goal-scoring run of their own.

The Stars struggled to maximise the two-point shot and with the Magic hardly putting a foot wrong inside the shooting circle, the Stars found themselves behind 50-43 with a quarter remaining.

The clock became the Stars' biggest enemy in the fourth quarter as they tried to do all they could to get back into the game.

The Stars played large parts of the quarter in a rush, which resulted in multiple turnovers and again gave the Magic the opportunity to further extend their lead.

As scoreboard pressure was heaped on the Stars in the dying moments, they were unable to hit any two-point attempts to lessen the margin and the Magic finished the game as worthy winners 72-51.

The Stars won't have to wait long to have another crack at the Magic and will play host to them at Pulman Arena next Monday.

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