Superstar efforts from superstar players led to winning results for the Mandurah Magic women when they took down the third-placed Lakeside Lightning on Saturday night.
In a game that is best described as a battle of stars, it was the Magic’s who shone the brightest, particularly Casey Mihovilovich, Carly Boag and Nici Gilday.
The trio combined for 71 points on the night, providing the power Mandurah needed to take down the Lightning in a battle of second v third.
Mandurah started the game a touch sluggish, being down by six at the first break.
But some spirited play led by Boag in the second quarter helped them take a four-point lead into half time.
The game tussled back and forth, with Lakeside’s Ali Schwagmeyer providing some strong plays in the second half while Mihovilovich and Gilday shot efficiently from the mid-range.
Mandurah’s lead remained between three and five points for the majority of the second half, and the game heated up when the led by just four points with just three minutes on the clock.
Lakeside threw everything at the home team but Mandurah was able to absorb it with some big time plays.
Jemma Gatti grabbed a crucial offensive rebound and hit some big free throws in the dying minutes, while a three-point bomb from Boag put the Magic up by seven with just two minutes on the clock.
Lakeside was forced to foul and Mandurah was able to edge out the 11-point victory.
Following on from a performance that earned her player of the week honours, Boag tallied a whopping 25 points, 16 rebounds and three steals to once again put her hand up for the award.
Mihovilovich equalled her scoring with a stat line of 25 points, while Gilday pitched in 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Magic return to courts at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre today at 12pm to take on the fifth-placed Willetton.