A colossal first-quarter performance set up the Tactix for a record-breaking 68-51 victory over the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in front of a jam-packed Nelson crowd.
The Tactix poured on the points in the first spell to lead 22-11 and their 17-goal winning margin was the largest in the franchise’s 14-year history
It was also their largest goal total in their history.
The Magic’s connections finally clicked by the third quarter, which they won by two, but the Tactix picked up the pace again in the final phase with defence as powerful as their attack.
Goal defence Karin Burger was the stand-out player of the match - snaffling six intercepts and eight deflections - and making life close to miserable for the Magic attack.
With Ellie Bird back from her concussion stand-down, and Te Paea Selby-Rickit in super form, the Magic circle defenders - missing the long levers of Temalisi Fakahokotau – found it difficult to close the Tactix down.
Magic shooter Caitlin Bassett managed to stand tall against the Tactix defensive barrage, shooting 32 from 33, until she landed awkwardly and had to leave the court with 10 minutes still left on the clock.
Auckland high school student Amelia Walmsley got another taste of the big time in the final minutes of the match, with Bird bowing out at 47 from 58; Selby-Rickit wrapping up another impressive performance with 19 from 23 attempts (83 percent).
