It took Ajax nearly three quarters to assert its dominance.
When it finally went on its run, the Andy Bay Falcons could not keep up.
But this was one the joint-league leaders very much had to work for, against a very young Falcons team.
Ajax's 80-64 win on Tuesday night, as women's club basketball returned after its university holiday break, minus its Southern Hoiho players.
It took a period of dominance late in the third quarter to blow the game open, though.
Alexa Duff (26 points) had just hit back-to-back three-pointers for the Falcons, before Madi Loudon got to the hoop to pull them within two points at 45-43.
That closed up the slender gap Ajax held most of the way.
But just as quickly as that happened, Ajax responded.
Guard Dre Whaanga finished awkwardly off her left hand to spark a 19-3 Ajax run midway through the third quarter.
She was key through that period, having eight of her 13 points, as was veteran big Natalie Ivamy (20 points).
It left the score at 64-46 and, while Duff continued to be a threat, it was too much of a hole for the Falcons to get out of.
Last year's MVP, Hannah Beede (16 points), took over for Ajax down the stretch, ensuring it notched its eighth win of the season.
Young guard Ryan Dailey (21 points) was influential early on for Ajax.
She showed her full array of scoring moves, both inside and out, to help Ajax to a 17-16 lead at the end of a tight first quarter.
Dailey was influential again in the second quarter, while Ivamy locked in from mid-range to give Ajax a 40-33 halftime lead.
That became 45-35, when Duff's two triples sparked the Falcons’ comeback, which would give way to Ajax's match-winning period.
In the other game, Varsity thrashed a barely recognisable South Pac Magic team 89-43.
Abby Harris led Varsity with 23 points, while Kylie Maihi had 10 for the Magic.
The win leaves Varsity also on eight wins, tied at the top of the table with Ajax, with one game remaining in the regular season.
Varsity will play the Falcons, while Ajax faces the Magic in the final round, which will determine playoff seedings.
