Magic outlast Geraldton for first win
In both teams’ second game of the weekend, the Mandurah Magic defeated the Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers 88-81 in a fast paced men's State Basketball League battle on Sunday afternoon.
The Buccaneers were playing their second game in two days after beating the Slammers on Saturday night, while the Magic were coming off a heart breaking three point loss to the Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks on Friday night.
Both teams ran the fast break effectively during the first half with Michael Lay and Aaron Ralph helping the Buccs out to an early lead. However the dominance of Taylor Mullenax inside the paint helped keep Mandurah close in a seesawing first half.
Foul trouble plagued the Buccs in each of the first two quarters as they found themselves over the limit early. Both teams shot well from the floor in the first half with Mandurah taking the rebounding advantage.
Mullenax continued his solid form from the opening game to lead all scorers with 17 points at half time, while Ralph was a great contributor for his team with 13 points.
The second half began very physical with many players finding themselves on the floor diving for loose balls. The Buccaneers continued to run the fast break with Lay taking advantage of an open Magic defense in the paint to score. Daniel Thomas also lifted for his team to make some important outside shots.
However, it was the play of Magic big man Tom Remmerswaal down the stretch that allowed the Magic to pull away.
Remmerswaal made some clutch field goals in the last two minutes to see the Magic creep ahead and maintain their lead till the final siren.
Mullenax again dominated to finish with a game high 26 points and 11 rebounds. Remmerswaal finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds while Andrew Bowman fell three assists short of a triple double.
Thomas and Ralph each led the way for Geraldton with 19 points, while Ralph contributed 13 rebounds.
“I was extremely pleased with the way the guys ground out a great defensive display to get a win,” Magic coach Jason Chalk said after the game.
“The first half was probably a little to offensively focused and we lost sight of our defensive game plan and allowed them too many three point attempts.
“In the second half we locked this down and were able to control the tempo of the game. All in all it was a great first up weekend for us."
Geraldton return home next week to play host to the Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers, while the Magic head north of the river to face the Stirling Senators.
Article by Nathan Winch at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)
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