Strong outbursts of play in the first and final quarters were not enough to see the Mandurah Magic men claim their first victory as they went down to Cockburn on the road last Thursday.
The Magic started, and finished the game with some impressive plays, but slumps in the second and third quarters saw them drop the game 100-85.
Mandurah matched it with the seventh-placed Cockburn to open the game, going toe-to-toe with the Cougars as each side posted 28 points in the opening period.
It was a vast improvement on their opening quarter against Kalamunda the week before, which saw the Magic blown away early.
However the game got away from them in the second, as the Cougars escaped to an eight-point lead at the half time break.
From there, Cockburn piled on an extra seven points to their lead before the Magic matched them with 22 in the final quarter.
The game was Mandurah’s fifth straight loss to open the season, but it wasn’t without its positives for the Magic.
New import Will McNeill was able to post his most productive game in a Magic uniform, tallying 19 points and six rebounds, while Rick Kreklow notched a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Captain Taylor Mullenax top-scored for Mandurah with 24 points.
As a team, the Magic won the rebounding battle 50-47 and picked up 12 steals to Cockburn’s five.
Mandurah will travel to Eaton to take on the South West Slammers this Saturday night.