Cougars seal third, book date with Redbacks
The Cockburn Cougars have sealed third spot on the MSBL ladder by defeating the Mandurah Magic 112-80 on Saturday night.
The win means the Cougars have now booked a first round matchup with the Perth Redbacks, after they defeated East Perth in overtime.
Cockburn skipped out to an early first quarter lead with Ty Harrelson leading the way with his penetration through the key and Stanley Ocitti connecting from outside. However that lead was soon erased as Mandurah went on an early second quarter run behind the play of Ben Smith, who started the term with a huge block and dunk to follow.
Numerous turnovers cost the Magic and resulted in Cockburn taking a three point lead into the main break. Harrelson lead all scorers in the first half with 11 points.
Smith again started a new quarter well for the Magic with another two blocks and a three point play to begin the third, but the Cougars pulled away once more with their outside game stepping up a gear. Grant Davey, who was celebrating, his 250th game for Cockburn, made consecutive threes and Ocitti also connected from long range.
Another late run from the Magic cut Cockburn’s lead to six at the final change, and also brought their supporters into full voice as well. Magic coach Jason Chalk asked for one final charge from his men, but unfortunately it was to no avail as more turnovers let Cockburn run away with the game.
Both coaches cleared their benches towards the end of the game as Cockburn increased their lead further. Harrelson finished the game with a triple double, scoring 28 points and adding 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Ocitti contributed 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Mandurah was led by Tom Remmerswaal with 20 points, and Ben Smith who had 17 points and 15 rebounds.
“Mandurah have had a tough year and they gave us everything they had tonight and our boys responded well,” Cockburn coach Stephen Charlton said.
“No matter who we end up with in the first round, it is going to be tough. Anybody can beat anyone."
In earlier WSBL action, the Mandurah Magic secured fourth spot in the WSBL standings with a 79-68 win over the Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars. This game also marked the 250th for Cockburn’s player/coach Fleur McIntyre.
Mandurah will now have home court advantage over Wanneroo in the first round of the finals series beginning next week.
Import Hailey Dunham impressive for Mandurah with 19 points and 12 rebounds. For the second straight week Casey Mihovilovich narrowly missed out on a triple double after she finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Shelly Boston also added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Magic as they out-rebounded the Cougars 48-34.
Cockburn was led by Emma Pass who had 22 points and 14 rebounds.
The Cougars head to the playoffs for the first time in three years and will face perennial finalists Perry Lakes in the first round.
Article by Nathan Winch at Wally Hagan Stadium
Photo by Mick Cronin
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