A quick-starting Cockburn maintained command all through their preliminary last battle with Mandurah to storm into the NBL1 West ladies’s decider and dream of successful the membership’s maiden title.
The residence aspect wasted no time placing their stamp on the competition with an 11-0 run in the course of the first quarter as they cleared out by as a lot as 15 factors within the first quarter.
The Cougars would go on to guide by as a lot as 22 factors within the second and 24 within the third earlier than easing off proper on the finish for an 88-75 victory.
Sarah Mortensen continued her gorgeous type for the Cougars with 30 factors, six rebounds, three assists and two steals on 10/19 capturing from the sector and 9/9 on the charity stripe.
Steph Gorman added 19 factors and three rebounds with the Perth Lynx WNBL signing capturing 6/11 from the sector, 4/8 from downtown and three/4 on the foul line.
Jewel Williams produced 19 factors, six assists, 5 rebounds and two steals, Jessie Edwards 10 factors and 12 boards, and Patty Brossmann six factors, eight rebounds and three assists.
Mandurah by no means gave in, although, and you’ll anticipate nothing much less from a staff that includes the video games document holder Casey Mihovilovich.
The Magic did get the deficit again to 10 with slightly below two minutes to play, however that was as shut because it ever was.
Mihovilovich led the cost in her 553rd sport with 19 factors, three assists and two rebounds whereas pulling down 5/10 from deep.
Sam Richards added 14 factors, three rebounds and three assists, Sarah Toeaina 13 factors, six assists and three boards, Hannah Hank 13 factors and 5 rebounds, and Kat Tudor eight factors and 5 boards.
Cockburn now look forward to a grand last twin with Willetton Tigers, with the stage set for a Friday evening firecracker between the groups that completed the yr ranked primary and two.
The 13-point preliminary last loss could have introduced the Magic’s season to an in depth one week sooner than they’d have preferred however 2023 was a season that coach Vladimir Alava and the membership’s leaders will replicate on as having been an excellent one.
One of the highlights got here on Thursday evening at Joondalup when the Magic precipitated a boilover to ship the third-seeded Wolves ladies packing from the finals.
Key to the victory was the way in which the Magic contained Wolves threats Teige Morrell and Neseya Parker Williams, protecting the duo to simply 14 factors mixed within the 77-73 end result.
Toeaina and Katherine Tudor each feasted on the offensive finish for Mandurah, dropping 29 and 23 factors respectively, because the Magic shot at a extremely environment friendly clip from the sector and a lethal share from lengthy vary.
It was Mandurah’s second win of the play-offs after their comfy elimination last win over Perry Lakes in Mandurah a number of days prior.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
