Magic came to Ballymena last week sitting second in the Premier league and it was clear from the outset why they were in that position.

In the last six weeks the Blackstone have struggled to find a leader since point guards Harry McGarry left the court with injury against Bangor. They have huffed and puffed in some games but when the crunch came they were lost for that controlling factor on the court that is essential at this level.

In the opening quarter the Blackstone offence struggled against a very big Magic zone.

Adam Hillis found the inside lane going to the basket for a lay up and then shot a three pointer. Paul Gillan tied the game at 12 each but Daiys shot from the edge of the key to bank the score and then was on the free throw line to secure an opening phase lead of 12–17 after successively drawing the foul on two occasions.

The second phase saw much of the same from the home team although a change in offensive shape gave them more scores from the perimeter as Paul Gillan tied the game again at 23 each with two three pointers in succession.

However, leaving the basket open to the big forwards was an invite to them to make scores which they did with ease and opened a 29–37 gap at the half.

In the third quarter the Blackstone offence collapsed with a series of turn overs that set the Magic in for eight points without reply.

The offensive movement from the Blackstone was slow and it gave little opportunity for good scoring opportunities and they were outscored 6–20 in this phase leaving them a mountain to climb.

In the last quarter they went pressing the game and made some in roads into the lead as Dean Hillis shot six points from stolen ball on the press. Peter McNicholl and Adam Hillis at last got some joy under the Armagh Basket for four points going strong to the basket.

It was the defensive work of Gavin Gillan, Michael McDonald with Hillis in the front court that gave some pride back to a disappointing performance from the home team.

Their endeavours upset the Magic patterns and gave the Blackstone a 23–17 score in the fourth quarter but it was too little, too late for a struggling Blackstone team.

ULSTER DIVISION ONE

Andersonstown Tigers 73, Blackstone II 34: Two weeks ago Blackstone had beaten this team after trailing to them but in the fourth quarter they turned up the pace and scored a resounding 95 points in an impressive and exciting win.

They went to the away fixture last Wednesday in Andersonstown and took a severe beating at the hands of a not so sleeping Tigers team that were out for revenge.

The opening quarter, as with most of the game, saw Blackstone struggle to make a score.