Mandurah Magic spoiled Luke Wrensted’s 100th game celebration at Activewest Stadium on Saturday night.

The Magic held off a late-game rally from the home side to record an 82-81 victory.

Morgan Sabia played his best game in the blue and gold, registering 24 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

Ben Pepper and Michael Lay offered support, both netting 14 points.

Fiv Magic players reached double figures, including top scorer Andrew Bowman with 18 points.

Both sides wasted no time getting into rhythm.

A see-sawing opening to the game saw Geraldton net the final four points of the first quarter to go into the first change with a 19-18 lead.

Sabia then had the Buccaneers up 23-17 early in the second quarter after connecting on one of his four three pointers in the match.

That is when Mandurah kicked into gear, making 12 of their 18 shots in the second quarter.

Thomas Remmerswaal made a three-point basket on the half time buzzer, handing the Magic a 49-44 lead. The Magic held a 10-point lead late in the third before extending that to 14 with two minutes remaining.

Buccs coach Ray Evans pleaded for some fight out of his men in the final term and they responded.

Wrensted kick-started the fightback with a three-pointer.

Big men Mat Wundenberg, Sabia and Pepper then took control of the Buccs’ offence on the low block to tie up the game at 79 with one minute remaining.

The Magic then hit the front by three thanks to Bowman’s long range shot.

Aaron Ralph had two chances to put the Buccs in front, but was denied by two controversial referee decisions.

Despite being outscored 23-12 in the final term, Mandurah held on for a thrilling victory.

Article by Taylor Courtland (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Geraldton Guardian