Mandurah Magic have levelled their best-of-three women's State Basketball League Quarter Final series with the Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves at one game all with a dominating 68-42 win on Friday night.

The Magic's victory forced a series-deciding game three at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre on Saturday night.

Mandurah controlled the game from the tip off. Shelley Boston was a major presence early, combining her outside shot with tough post moves. Tarsha Fletcher was also effective, as she controlled the majority of Mandurah’s fast breaks and helped herself to nine first quarter points.

Wanneroo struggled to gain any momentum offensively in the first quarter, as turnovers dominated their output. The Wolves registered their first field goal with 1:30 remaining in the quarter as the Magic took a 16 point lead into the first change.

Fletcher continued to torment the Wolves as she scored Mandurah’s first seven points in the second quarter. Megan Lee tried her best for the Wolves as her dribble penetration led to some good scoring opportunities and it also began to get Rebecca Mercer involved, despite her poor shooting percentage. Mercer shot only one for eleven in the first half and the Wolves collectively shot 19% from the field.

Fletcher’s first half saw her score 18 points, with Boston next best with 11. Despite their poor offensive showing, Wanneroo managed to maintain Casey Mihovilovich by keeping her scoreless and limit import Hailey Dunham to only seven points.

The third quarter started in a more positive manner for Wanneroo as they stepped up their defensive intensity, which included Sherelle Johnson drawing a charge on Dunham and forcing Mandurah into turnovers. Mihovilovich picked up her third foul early, and with Boston already on the bench with three fouls, the Wolves looked to exploit the Magic defensively. Mercer loomed dangerous offensively for the Wolves, as Mandurah struggled to hit shots and did not score a field goal for the first seven minutes of the quarter.

Mercer scored eight in the third quarter as the Wolves outscored the Magic 11-4 for the term. The horror night for Mihovilovich continued as she picked up her fourth foul and continued to give the ball away.

Mandurah however regained their composure in the fourth quarter as Fletcher exploited the Wanneroo defense. She finished with a game high 25 points and added seven rebounds and four steals.

“All of our focus during the week was on tonight and getting the win, and now that we have that we can look forward to tomorrow night,” Fletcher said post game.

Boston was also a major contributor for the Magic as she finished with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Mercer was the top scorer for Wanneroo with 16 points. The Magic out-rebounded the Wolves 45-34 and shot 41% from the field compared to 24% for the Wolves.

“Wanneroo are going to come out really dangerous tomorrow night so we need to be ready,” Mandurah coach Mark Utley said.

“We were out rebounded by 20 last week, so we needed to ensure that didn’t happen again. Tarsha was brilliant tonight with her job on Rebecca Mercer and offensively as well. Shelley Boston too. We will get the girls refreshed for tomorrow and make sure they know what the game plan is.”

The victorious team in the series will advance to the semi-finals to face the winner of the matchup between Lakeside and Willetton, which the Lightning lead one-nil.

Article by Nathan Winch at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)

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