Kopua shines for Magic in pulsating 100th match

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic player Jo Harten chases the ball in last night's match against the Thunderbirds. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER

Silver Fern Casey Kopua has celebrated her 100th ANZ Championship game in style with a victory in Rotorua.

The Magic got home in a thriller against defending champions the Adelaide Thunderbirds last night, defeating the visitors 50-49 at the Energy Events Centre.

Magic captain Kopua and defence partner Leana de Bruin were up to their usual tricks, intercepting passes and causing problems for the Thunderbirds' attack.
The victory lifts the Magic into a share of first place with the Melbourne Vixens after nine rounds.

The Rotorua crowd got right behind the home team last night, erupting every time the Magic forced a turnover or scored a goal.

There was also plenty to cheer about early on for the home fans, as the Magic shot out to a five-point lead half way through the first quarter.

Kopua helped her team gain the early lead with a couple of key intercepts.
The Magic led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Thunderbirds came out the strongest in the second quarter, breaking up Magic's attack with some great defence.

Even the best defence can't keep English international Jo Harten quiet for long though, and the Magic shooter hit back with some quality goals.

The Thunderbirds managed to win a tight second quarter, with the Magic lead cut back to 27-24 at halftime.

The Thunderbirds made the most of some mistakes by the Magic to take the lead early in the second half.

The momentum looked to be shifting as the Thunderbirds went on an 8-2 run to open the third quarter.
A time-out call could not have come quick enough for the Magic, who re-grouped off the court.

The Thunderbirds defence lifted another gear after the short break, making things difficult for the Magic attackers.
However, the Magic defence did the same.
It marked a defining part of the match, as both teams scrapped for everything to try and earn an advantage for their side.
The Thunderbirds came out on top at the end of the third quarter, albeit with a slim 39-38 lead.

The battle raged on into the fourth quarter as the score stayed close.
The local crowd got right into the tight contest, erupting over every Magic goal and intercept.
The game looked destined for overtime as the clock ticked down with neither side able to pull away.

The roof of the Energy Events Centre almost come off when the Magic took the lead with three minutes to go.
Moments later they had a two-point lead but the Thunderbirds would not go away.
Ellen Halpenny nailed a deep shot when it mattered to keep the lead at two points for the Magic.

The Magic managed to hold on and the house erupted with the final score 50-49.