A rampant fourth quarter wasn’t enough to get the Mandurah Magic women over the line against the South West Slammers as they went down 84-81 in the State Basketball League’s rivalry round on Friday night.
The Magic were tremendous in the final period of the game, storming back into the contest and threatening to steal the win, but a sluggish start crippled their efforts as the Slammers were able to hold them at bay at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
Kelly Bailey nailed the first bucket of the night for the hosts, but the South West went on an 8-0 run to assert themselves early.
They led by a handsome 13 points halfway through the opening quarter, and things only got worse for Mandurah in the second frame.
Charlotte van Kleef nailed a three-point bomb to open the second period, and another to close it out as the Slammers took a commanding 18-point lead into half time.
But having their backs against the wall seemed to spur Mandurah on, as they found their rhythm in the second half.
Regina Palusna got the ball rolling for the hosts with seven points in the period, but while their offence was hot so was the South West’s, with Mandurah only trimming two points off the lead heading into the fourth.
It was in the final stretch that Mandurah took over.
Captain Rachel Halleen led her team back into the contest with a stunning 14 points in the quarter, and a pair of made free throws from Regina Palusna had the Magic within five points with 2:26 remaining on the clock.
Mandurah looked ready to steamroll their guests, but Slammer Tayah Burrows made good on four straight free throws to give her side the edge they needed.
Halleen hit a pair of three-pointers in the final minute of the game but it wasn’t enough to see her side to victory as the South West held on for a thrilling win.
Courtney Bayliss led the way in the victory, tallying 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Palusna led Mandurah with 19 points, while Halleen (17 points) and Rachel Pettit (15 points, four rebounds, three assists) gave big contributions coming off the bench.
The loss sees the Magic slip to sixth on the ladder, while the South West move into eighth on the back of their fifth win for the year.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
