Mandurah Magic WSBL proved too strong for the South West Slammers on Saturday night with a comprehensive 86-55 win at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

 

Despite a quick start by the Slammers which saw them open up an early 7 point margin to start the game, the visitors were able to find there way into the game as the first quarter progressed. This despite both teams being guilty of some loose turnovers on both ends of the floor.

 

At the end of the first quarter the Magic held a 23-19 advantage with Gilday hitting a jumper at the top of arc as the period expired.

 

The Magic started the second quarter with a flurry of baskets setting up a 12-0 run in the first 90 seconds courtesy of Gilday, Bree Klasztorny, Bailey, Boag before Brittany Hodges scored their first basket after 4 minutes of play in the second.

 

The Slammers resorted to a 3-2 zone defense half way through the second in an attempt to change the tempo of game but it did little to slow down the rampant Magic offense, with Boag's dominance inside matched by their perimeter accuracy.

 

After the first half the Magic had blown out the game 52-28 with Boag on 16 points and 7 rebs,  Gilday with 11 and Mihovilovic 10 points. For the home team, Bayliss had 10 points while Hodges and Denehey contributed 8 a piece. 

 

South West played with a bit more endeavour to open the third but it was a costly technical foul for a flop and the fourth on Hodges that proved the biggest hindrance to the home team's fightback. Until then Hodges was proving to be a handful inside and beginning to make her presence felt. Without Hodges as a primary option, South West turned to Bayliss, who was good enough to connect on a few from deep against some Magic defensive lapses. Foul trouble for both teams turned the game into a half court slog but credit to the Slammers who reduced the deficit as Magic led 63-45 heading into the final quarter.

 

With an 18 point margin to climb, Coach Peter Harper went all in starting Hodges but the Magic opened the fourth with six straight points to again stretch the gap to over 20 points. The game continued in the same fashion and with a 30 point margin with 5 minutes remaining, Coach Miegel gave some of his younger players a run to close out the game. 

 

Mandurah was led by Carly Boag who posted another double-double with 21 points, 11 rebounds and Casey Mihovilovic with 18 points. The home team had Courtney Bayliss register 20 points and 13 rebounds while Denehey was good early. Again it was a case of foul trouble dilemmas for South West import Hodges whose impact was restricted as a result of early fouls.

 

The Magic now move to a 5-0 record and play Joondalup Wolves away at Joondalup while 2-4 Slammers play away to the Willetton Tigers .


Article by Vlad Alava
Photo by Mick Cronin