Mandurah Magic slump to last on SBL ladder

Before the match, Kalamunda sat in last on the State Basketball League ladder, but the 88-95 result now sees the Magic occupy the bottom spot.

Mandurah started the game well, moving the ball fluently and scoring well.

But Kalamunda kept pace with the Magic’s offence, and went in trailing by just three points (26-23) at the first break.

Mandurah’s offence fell away a touch in the second, with Kalamunda capitalising.

The outscored the Magic 25-21 in the quarter, to go into the half time break with a one-point lead.

But the game changed once again in the third, with Mandurah back in the driver’s seat.

The Magic found their feet once again, scoring 25 to the Suns’ 20 and taking a four point lead, and momentum, into the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately for the Magic, that momentum soon shifted once more as Kalamunda came into the fourth with authority.

The Suns blasted the Magic from the get-go, pouring on 27 points to Mandurah’s 16 and running away with a seven-point win.

Paringatai played well in his first match for the Magic, despite the loss.

The recruit tallied a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, teaming with fellow big man Ben Smith nicely.

Smith recorded 24 points and 13 rebounds to continue his stellar form, while Trevor Setty collected 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

But the trio could not keep up with Kalamunda’s spread of scoring.

The Suns’ bench piled up 36 points, far more than Mandurah’s 16 off the bench.

Brandon McGill led the Suns’ scoring with 21 points to go along with his nine rebounds and three assists.

The Magic’s next game will be this coming Saturday against Lakeside, who are on an 11-game losing streak.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8.30pm at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex.