Robinhood Stars storm home against Magic in Hamilton

A powerful second half display has helped the Stars storm past the Splice Construction Magic 67-53 in their ANZ Premiership match in Hamilton.

With key defenders Anna Harrison and Kayla Johnson sidelined through illness, the Stars sent out an SOS which was answered by foundation player Storm Purvis, who started in the goal-keep bib and was able to finally bring up her 100th national league appearance after being stranded on 99 games following her retirement in 2020.  

The Stars worked into the game well, with Elle Temu and her new defensive partner Purvis creating a foundation for their relationship, with good communication while well backed by Holly Fowler in the wing defence bib.

Both teams traded goals and controlled pace of play to suit their respective styles and with both shooting ends firing, the match looked destined for a high-scoring affair.

Maia Wilson looked confident in the Stars shooting circle and netted a perfect 10 from 10 in the first spell - however the Magic were able to force turnovers and make the most of more possession to take a 15-12 lead into the second period. 

The Stars' attack flowed like the Waikato river they were playing near and with Jamie Hume and Wilson at their best, worked their way back into the contest.

Wilson would end the half shooting a perfect 19 from 19, while Hume missed just two shots.

Mid-courters Gina Crampton and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan were confident with ball in hand and fired ball into the shooting circle with ease.

The Magic still kept their noses in front and made minimal errors while assisted from strong shooting by Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Bailey Mes to have a 31-29 lead at half-time. 

Whatever was said by coach Kiri Wills at half-time certainly lit a match under the Stars as they powered into the third quarter and quickly overturned the deficit and began to take hold of the match.

The Stars were hungry on defence and attacked ball with ferocity before linking well and converting in the shooting circle at will. 

The Stars forced multiple turnovers and were clinical on attack - overwhelming the Magic and stretching out to a seven goal advantage, as they were suddenly up 47-40 at three-quarter time. 

The Stars finished the game strongly, with Kiri Wills able to empty her bench and give Greer Sinclair, Emma Iversen and Amorangi Malesala game time.

Maia Wilson capped off her best performance of the season with some classy shots falling from range, as the Stars completed the task with a 67-53 triumph. 

Wilson finished the game with a 41 successful shots from 43 attempts, while well supported from Jamie Hume who added 23 goals. 

Gina Crampton was everywhere and turned in a player of the match performance with 51 feeds and 31 goal assists. 

Purvis celebrated game 100 looking like she'd never left - playing the full match and notching four gains and two intercepts throughout. 

There's little time to bask in the result for the Stars, with the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse awaiting them in Wellington tomorrow afternoon.