BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a frantic final minute and a series of critical defensive stands, the Osceola Magic held off a relentless performance from Birmingham’s D.J. Carton to edge the Squadron 111-106 in a G League contest Thursday night at Legacy Arena.

The Magic, who led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter, saw their advantage whittled down to a single possession in the final 30 seconds. Carton, the Squadron point guard who finished with a game-high 30 points and eight assists, drove for a layup to cut Osceola’s lead to 108-106 with 14 seconds remaining.

Osceola’s Lester Quinones, the team’s top performer, was immediately fouled and calmly sank two free throws to extend the lead to four. After a Birmingham timeout, Carton’s potential game-tying 3-point attempt from 28 feet missed with nine seconds left, and the Magic secured the defensive rebound to effectively seal the victory. Quinones added two more free throws for the final margin.

The most important sequence of the game, however, occurred just before that final exchange. With Osceola leading 102-100 and under two minutes to play, the Magic defense forced three consecutive Birmingham turnovers. Justin Minaya stole passes from Carton and Keion Brooks on back-to-back possessions, leading directly to four Osceola points. Alex Morales then added a driving layup off another defensive stop, capping a 6-0 run that pushed the lead to 108-100 with 1:24 remaining and provided the crucial cushion needed to withstand Carton’s late flurry.

Osceola improved to 14-8 across all competitions, while Birmingham fell to 9-14.

The game was a tale of offensive efficiency and defensive pressure. Osceola scored 111 points on just 93 possessions, translating to an offensive rating of 119.4, and forced 18 Birmingham turnovers, converting them into 13 steals. The Magic’s ability to generate extra chances was also key, as they secured 11 offensive rebounds leading to 19 second-chance points.

Quinones led a balanced Osceola attack with 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final 37 seconds. Ja’Vonte Smart added 24 points, and Alex Morales posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Reece Beekman contributed 14 points.

For Birmingham, Carton’s stellar outing was supported by Josh Oduro’s 25 points and nine rebounds. Keion Brooks added 16 points, six rebounds and three assists. The Squadron shot just 9 of 35 from 3-point range and, despite a perfect 9-for-9 mark at the foul line, attempted 12 fewer free throws than Osceola, which went 15 for 21.

Osceola started strong, leading 28-29 after a high-scoring first quarter, but a 32-point second quarter from Birmingham gave the Squadron a 61-52 halftime advantage. The Magic responded with a 33-point third quarter to reclaim the lead heading into the final period, setting the stage for the tense finish.

The two teams will meet again at Legacy Arena on Saturday.