Buccs sweep road double
The Buccs were made to work for their meat against the Magic in a hard fought 95-86 victory at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
The win backed-up a convincing display against the Slammers when the Buccs prevailed 120-89 at Eaton.
The victories were acquired without import Brian Connelly after a delay in his immigration papers restricted him to water boy duties.
Buccs coach Ray Evans said the double triumph would give his players a boost ahead of their first home game against Wanneroo Wolves on Saturday.
He said his players showed considerable grit to take the result against the Magic.
“We knew we weren’t going to play pretty basketball but the boys showed a lot of fight,” he said.
“We still got a lot of improving to do as we’re a fair way off yet but hopefully as the season progresses we’ll get better.”
After trailing 26-22 at the first break, the Buccs went in with a 49-42 lead over Magic at half time.
The scores were tied at 66 a piece going into the final term, but the Buccs fought hard in their own keyway to earn the clean sweep.
Ryan Zamroz and Daniel Thomas topped the scoring charts for the weekend with 71 and 56 points each.
Evans was keen for his players to set the tone early against the Slammers.
Zamroz made a sound introduction to his SBL career, combining with Thomas to give the Buccs a 19-10 lead.
Zamroz top scored with 42 points and Thomas bagged 33.
The Slammers missed several players due to work commitments and were caught napping in the first quarter.
The home side’s defence was hit with seven three-pointers from outside the arc and the Buccs took a 33-21 in at the first break.
Slammers’ American acquisition Jessan Gray temporarily left the court in the second quarter with injury.
This allowed Buccs’ captain Matt Wundenberg ample opportunity to dominate the aerial contests and the away side cruised into the main break with a 27-point buffer.
Gray came to life in the second half with three early baskets, but his lone efforts were not enough to create a comeback.
Evans rotated off the bench more after the interval.
Luke Wrensted, Mick Jones and Adam Rowe all assisted to break-up the play.
The Buccs front court continued to hold all the cards.
The assault on the home straight was well underway at the final change as the Buccs cruised in 93-65 up.
Zamroz was allowed further time to bed in during the final term.
Young guns Jordan Myers and Clayton Dann came on to grab their own slice of the stats with baskets to steer the away side over the line with ease.
Article & Picture by Thomas Davis (Geraldton Guardian)
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