NBL1 West 2023: Mandurah Magic pile on pain late after plucky three-quarter effort by South West Slammers

Three and a half minutes into Friday night’s clash between Mandurah Magic and the South West Slammers women’s team, Magic coach Vlad Alava had seen enough.

Much like the growing Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre crowd, his side had been somewhat caught off guard.

Aside from trailing 9-2 against the winless Slammers, the Magic had missed 10 of their first 11 shots — something highly irregular for a potent offence laden with imports and US college experience.

However despite their miscues, equally significant was the Slammers’ pressure and willingness to take the game on, which warmed the hearts of all wearing red, white and blue inside the building.

Slowly but surely, American duo Sarah Toeaina and Katherine Tudor (23 points, five rebounds, four assists, six steals) increased their presence under the basket, which paved the way for a 20-6 offensive run following Alava’s time-out.

Sadly for Alex Ciabattoni’s side, the Slammers were unable to go to a local supermarket and buy a bag of experience or imports at quarter time, and were eventually defeated 94-47.

For three quarters, the teenager-filled Slammers put their seasoned opponents under pressure and moved the ball well into the paint.

Cruelly for the youngsters, they received another telling lesson about how experienced teams can click through the gears with ease.

Like a professional cyclist pedalling downhill, the title-hunting Magic took advantage of the weary teenagers in the final term and outscored the Slammers 30-7.

Pleasingly for Ciabattoni, Jasmine Barrett finished with four steals, while Magic recruit Hannah Hank — a former Australian starter with Clemson in the NCAA — was held to eight points and eight rebounds by the Slammers’ defence before getting tangled in foul trouble.

Keeper stats

Field goals (Magic 28/62, Slammers 11/32); three-point attempts (Magic 7/26, Slammers 6/25); free-throw attempts (Magic 17/21, Slammers 7/14); total rebounds (Magic 65-33 Slammers); assists (Magic 25-9 Slammers); steals (Magic 19-9 Slammers); turnovers (Slammers 26-15 Magic); fouls (Slammers 22-14 Magic).