Mandurah Magic women leap into finals

Mandurah took care of the Senators with relative ease, winning the match 84-63 and heading into the first week of finals on the back of a brilliant performance.

The Magic opened the game with a statement first quarter.

They dominated on both ends of the court, outscoring the Senators 29-8 in the period.

But Stirling hit back in the second term, refusing to lie down meekly and bringing a contest to the Magic. They evened up their work on the defensive end of the floor and sharpened their offence, outscoring the Magic 16-20 in the quarter and bringing the margin to 17 points at half time.

They continued playing well after the break and stripped the margin back by another four points in the third quarter.

But despite Stirling’s strong efforts, Mandurah was resistant enough to maintain a 13-point lead at the break. 

That 13-point lead was expanded in the fourth quarter as Mandurah took hold of the game, and fifth spot on the ladder, with tenacity.

The Magic put up 24 points in the quarter compared the Stirling’s 16, finishing the game 21-point victors and getting a huge boost of momentum heading into the finals.

Annette Davis starred in the game with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Casey Mihovilovich showed her trademark team-first play with 18 points and seven assists.

The fifth-place finish means the Magic now prepare for a best-of-three quarter finals series against Perry Lakes, who finished in fourth.

A huge boost for the Magic will be the return of star player Adijat Adams to their line-up.

Adams dominated the regular season before being suspended for two weeks a fortnight ago.

Perry Lakes head into the finals also in good form, having demolished Kalamunda 94-72 in their round 20 match.

The first match of the series will be at Bendat Basketball Centre this Friday night at 7.30pm.

The series will then make it’s way to Mandurah’s temporary home ground, the Mike Barnett Sports Complex, the following Friday.