Clutch Stewart baskets spur Mandurah Magic to victory over Cockburn

The star-point guard was a man possessed in the dying stages of the fourth quarter, scoring a rapid eight points in 66 seconds as he fended off a late run from Cockburn to secure the victory.

A dominant third quarter saw Mandurah hold the lead for almost all of the fourth, but it was trimmed to just one point when Cougars captain Jaarod Holmes hit a free throw with just over two minutes remaining.

Stewart sparked into action from there, drilling a three out of a time-out to give Mandurah some breathing space before the visiting side leveled the scores at 84 apiece with 1:07 on the clock.

The import's hot run went into overdrive, as he scored five straight points to put the game on ice before teammate Akau Deng sealed the deal with a layup.

The Magic's defence was stringent as the game wound down, keeping Cockburn scoreless in the final minute.

While Stewart's last-minute heroics snatched the victory, outstanding games from Travis Durnin and Marvin Smith set up the win.

They were especially influential during a third-quarter run that saw Mandurah turn a six-point deficit into a six-point lead, with Durnin blazing the Cougars defence for 12 points in the period while Smith (eight) and Damon Ballantyne (seven) kept the scoreboard ticking over.

That stretch would go on to define the game, as the Magic found a way to restrict Cockburn's offence following a first half that had the Cougars rolling.

The home team put up 26 points in the second with Hayden Bell and Holmes in good touch, but Mandurah refused to drop their heads despite trailing by six at the half.

Durnin's big second half teamed with Stewart's late burst would be enough to eventually secure the victory.

The result snaps a four-game skid for the Magic, with their previous victory coming back in round six against the South West, and lifts their overall record to 3-9 on the season, now equal with Cockburn.

Durnin ended the game with an outstanding 24 points, 11 rebounds while Smith tallied 24 points and six rebounds.

Stewart posted 21 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals while Ballantyne's contribution of 12 points, three rebounds, three assists was effective.

The Magic will look to make it two straight wins when they hit the road bound for Kalgoorlie in round 11, their second long road trip in four weeks following one to Geraldton in round eight.