The Mandurah Magic will return to the Women’s State Basketball League grand final for the first time since 2009 on the back of a heart-stopping, close-out win over Lakeside in game three of their semi final series on Saturday night.
Facing elimination after falling just short on the road in game two, the Magic brought an extremely physical brand of basketball to the sudden-death match and were able to bully their way into the SBL finale.
The team’s performance was epitomised by centre Carly Boag and forward Bree Klasztorny, who were aggressive under the rim and hit a number of clutch shots to help the Magic carve out the thrilling 67-61 win.
But it was Lakeside’s Ali Schwagmeyer that looked fired up in the opening stages, helping her side start with an 8-2 run.
The Magic went the first four minutes with just one basket, but some outstanding rebounding and shooting from Boag allowed them to take the lead soon after.
Klasztorny took over in the second quarter, starting the period with a three-point play after being fouled on a score.
Her physicality on defence drew the ire of Schwagmeyer early in the quarter as the two exchanged words, but it didn’t phase Klasztorny as she caused a turnover and hit a bucket to tie the game up on the ensuing play.
It was Morgan Ballantyne coming off the bench to give Mandurah a two-point lead at half time with a three-point bomb.
Magic superstar Nici Gilday had been quiet for her lofty standards in the first half, but made her presence known in the second with a number of big plays.
Kasey Miegel hit a free throw to give Mandurah a seven-point lead and the hosts looked set to take over in the third, but Boag limped to the bench following a collision and Lakeside took advantage of her absence.
The Lightning got tough and slashed the Magic’s lead to two points heading into the final break.
They were able to get within a point early in the final period, but Boag returned and nailed a massive three to keep Lakeside at an arm’s length.
She followed the play immediately with an assist to Casey Mihovilovich, who dropped her own three-pointer to give the Magic a seven-point lead that would eventuate to be too much for the Lightning to overcome.
Lakeside was forced to foul and Mandurah was able to hit the needed free throws to punch their ticket to the final.
Boag finished the night with 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Klasztorny managed 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Magic now move on to a grand final match against the Perry Lakes Hawks at Bendat Basketball Centre this Friday.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
