Onika Hazelwood did just enough to get her MIC Tigers past the University of Southern Caribbean (USC), sealing a 30-18 victory in the Alternative Division of the Courts All Sectors Netball League on Thursday evening.
Hazelwood, who replaced Jeanette Singh as the goal-shooter, netted a leading 19 goals off 30 tries in the second of two matches played at Centre of Excellence in Macoya.
Singh was not at her best and scored one goal from four attempts while her goal-attack Megan Lessey put in nine off 20 in a match which their team led at the half 17-9 after holding a 6-4 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
MIC increased that lead to 11 (22-11) by the close of the third and though USC, through the shooting of Carla Victor (17/22), fought back in the fourth and final period, scoring seven compared to MIC's eight but it was not enough to overcome its deficit.
The win will give MIC a boost as it chase the Division's Fast Five title today at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena. The Tigers meet Defence Force at 1.30 pm in the opening match of the fast-paced double elimination competition, which will see teams meeting two eight-minute halves.
The University of the West Indies (UWI), who was also successful that evening with a 25-20 victory over Defence Force, will be aiming for top honours in the Fast Five competition will face the winner between Police Youth Club and Jabloteh. They meet at 1.50 pm.
UWI, piloted by Shuntelle Morris with 16 in 30, led at the end of each quarter 5-4 in the first, 13-8 at the half and 19-15 in the third, to pull off the five-goal win.
Nikeisha Peters Williams was the main shooter for Defence Force with 17 off 29 in a losing effort.
Teams in the Retro Division will also do battle for the Fast Five title this afternoon. TSTT opens against Harlem from 2.50 pm.
Fast Five competitions in the Premiership and Championship Divisions will take place tomorrow (Sunday) at the same Maloney venue.