For the first time this season, the Mandurah Magic walked off their home floor winless after losing both games to the Wanneroo Wolves last Saturday night.

The night started poorly for the Magic as the women were defeated 64-42 on the back of a dismal 35 turnovers.

The Wolves made the jump early on the Magic, restricting them to only six points in the first quarter. The second quarter was a different story as the Magic stepped up defensively, and was able to put together some solid shooting to cut the lead to just two points at half time.

However it was careless ball handling that cost the Magic dearly as the Wolves capitalised on their misfortunes and built an insurmountable lead.

Wanneroo had scoring contributions from every player that stepped on court, and were led by import Casey Lockwood and star forward Nikita Martin who each had 12 points. However it was the play of Chelsea Burns that proved to be the game winner for the Wolves as she shut down Magic veteran Casey Mihovilovich and finished with nine points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Bree Klasztorny was once again the Magic’s best player as she ended her night with 10 points and 16 rebounds while Gemma Thomas led the team in scoring with 14 points.

The Magic slip to second last on the ladder, but still remain only one game outside of the top eight. With their eighth victory of the season, the Wolves sit in third place on the table.

The men’s contest proved to be a much closer affair with Wanneroo ending Mandurah’s unbeaten home record with a 115-104 victory.

The win was set up by Wanneroo’s solid shooting from three point range as they converted on 53% of their shots, compared to the Magic’s 28%.

Mandurah appeared to have early control of the game as Taylor Mullenax asserted his authority on Wolves big man Damian Matacz. Mullenax was unstoppable in the first two quarters and had 26 points to half time.

However the Magic struggled to contain the Wolves’ offense in the second and third quarters as Seb Salinas and Rhys Smyth caused major headaches for the Magic guards with their outside shooting.

A hot shooting Salinas connected on six three pointers for the game while Matacz was able to become more active inside the paint while Mullenax was on the bench with foul trouble.

Salinas finished the game with 36 points while Matacz ended his night with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Mullenax was the star for the Magic as he finished with a season high 41 points and 14 rebounds.

The result sees the two teams switch places on the league ladder, as the Wolves move into the top four while relegating the Magic to fifth by percentage.

This weekend’s fixture sees the Magic head to Geraldton to take on the in form Buccaneers, while the Wolves head south to Eaton to take on another the South West Slammers.

Article by Nathan Winch
Photo by Kerry Leeder