It was a bittersweet weekend for the Mandurah Magic women’s team who returned to fifth spot on the ladder with one win from their double-header of action.
Missing suspended star Adijat Adams, the Magic narrowly went down to Cockburn on Friday night before turning things around to thump the South West Slammers on Saturday.
Against Cockburn, the Magic began on the wrong foot before erasing their poor start in the second quarter.
The team was struggling to knock down their shots but still managed to put up 17 points in the first. However, Cockburn outscored the Magic 17-22 in the opener.
But Mandurah gained more fluency in the second and was able to cut the deficit to just a point at half time.
Both sides struggled mightily in the third quarter. Mandurah banked just three of their 19 attempts for seven points, but Cockburn was no better scoring just five points and losing the lead, going into the final quarter down a point..
A tight fourth quarter ensued but Mandurah could not hold their slim lead, losing the game 55-58.
The loss put the Magic in danger of finishing the round as low as seventh, but the Magic bounced back with an emphatic win over the South West.
Casey Mihovilovich taking to the court for the 414th time, the second most in women’s SBL history, was all the inspiration the Magic needed to claim a 26-point win.
Mandurah got off to a solid start, outscoring the Slammers 15-12 in the first quarter, but it was the second quarter that saw the Magic blow the lead out.
Mandurah allowed the South West just four points for the quarter and scored 14 of their own, lifting them to a 13-point lead at the half.
A solid third term and an even better fourth eventually saw the Magic double their half-time lead by the end of the game, claiming a 78-52 win.
It was only fitting that Mihovilovich top-scored for the Magic, shining with 19 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Bree Klasztorny was also damaging, breaking out for a huge game in the absence of Adams to finish with 18 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
She was followed closely in the scoring by Emma Klasztorny, who recorded 18 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
The win saw the Magic capitalise on the Lakeside Lightning suffering losses to Willetton and Perth, allowing Mandurah to finish the round in fifth place.
Now the Magic will begin preparing for a clash against the Stirling Senators at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex on Saturday, July 30.