West Spotlight | Magic dominate early for big win

Featured image: Skylar Forbes | @Skyjayd.Photography

The Mandurah Magic kept themselves right in the hunt for an NBL1 West top four spot by holding the Perth Redbacks to three first quarter points and scoring the first 15 before winning 92-53 on Friday night at Belmont Oasis.

It was a big game for both teams to open the penultimate round of the regular season with the Magic needing to keep winning to try and break into the top four while the Redbacks were at home and also clinging to eighth position.

It was a remarkable start from Mandurah with a 15-0 run to open the game in the first four minutes before eventually the Redbacks got on the board thanks to Shenae Hartree.

But still the Redbacks managed three points in the first quarter on 1/14 shooting and from there the Magic remained in control on the way to the eventual 39-point victory with another 28 points to 10 in the fourth quarter to improve to a 12-6 record to join the Warwick Senators at the same mark.

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By outscoring the Redbacks 51 points to 13 across the first and fourth quarters, it was quite the dominant display from the Magic as they chase a top four finish with 41 per cent shooting from the field to 29, and 7/22 from the outside to 2/15.

Mandurah also went 27/32 from the foul line to 11/19 while also forcing Perth into 27 turnovers including 13 in the first quarter to end up attempting two more shots and 13 more free throws.

The Magic have now won seven of their last eight games to be building some impressive momentum with Mia Jacobs catching fire in the second quarter on her way to 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals with 4/8 shooting from the outside.

Mikayla Pivec had another 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals, Claire Jacobs 18 points, three steals, two boards and two assists, Sharn Hayward 12 points and four rebounds, Jade Gowland seven points, seven rebounds and two assists, and Georgia Adams six points and two rebounds.

The Redbacks are now 7-11 on the season left fighting for their playoff lives with Patty Brossmann finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.

Sophie Doran also had eight points and five steals, Olivia Berry seven points and three rebounds, Alaska Rhebok seven points and four boards, and Sam Ashby seven points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals on 3/15 shooting.

Both teams have two games remaining in their seasons with the Magic at home to the Perry Lakes Hawks on Saturday and then away to the Joondalup Wolves next Friday.

The Redbacks back up against the Cockburn Cougars on the road on Saturday before then finishing next Friday on the road to the Rockingham Flames.

NBL1 WEST 2026 SEASON | ROUND 17

PERTH REDBACKS 53 (Brossmann 13, Doran 8, Ashby 7, Berry 7, Rhebok 7)

MANDURAH MAGIC 92 (M Jacobs 19, Pivec 19, C Jacobs 18)