Giants find the Magic touch
The show goes on for the Goldfields Giants as the team recorded their biggest win of the year, defeating the Mandurah Magic 120-92, in Saturday night's round of State Basketball League fixtures.
The victory extended the Giants' winning streak to four games - with the team due to play yesterday afternoon - the club's longest since round 8 of the 2011 season.
After holding an eight-point advantage heading into the second half, the local side blew the game away with a 10-0 run in the final 1.26mins of the third quarter.
It extended the lead to 19, and the game was put beyond doubt after the team rattled off eight-straight points in the fourth quarter.
Giants coach Michael Haney said he was pleased with how his squad took it to the Magic in the second half.
"Mandurah is a good team, but they don't back up (after playing Lakeside on Friday night) like they did tonight (Saturday)," he said.
"We knew they were going to be a tired team, and with their age, we knew we had an opportunity to stay in the game and keep it close.
"So then when that run comes, really make it happen and make it a 10-0 run, not a 6-4 run.
"We did a good job - the boys executed our game plan, limited their shooters and rebounded the ball well."
With Magic import Paul Hafford identified as Mandurah's only outside threat pre-game, excellent team defence limited him to just 12 points, and connected on only one of eight attempts from distance.
Hafford's efforts from downtown reflected his team's struggles, as Mandurah hit only seven from 34 as a group. Goldfields, on the other hand, had an excellent night from behind the arc, connecting on 13 of 29 attempts.
Mathiang Muo turned around his recent poor long-range form, as he made six threes, on his way to 34 points, while Jay Bowie connected on four, scoring 25.
Veteran Shamus Ballantyne, who knocked down a pair late in the fourth quarter, capped off the win in his 350th State Basketball League game.
Haney said winning for the team's leader in his milestone game felt like the club's championship era.
"Through the fourth quarter, everyone was smiling, having fun - it kind of takes me back to the old days when we expected to win," he said.
"These guys work hard, so it's good to see their hard work paying off.
"It was good to have Shamus back, so having our leader back and getting the win was an outstanding result."
Mike Exell is a member of the 2015 Goldfields Giants.
Update:
A narrow loss to Perry Lakes made it a mixed road trip for the Giants, who went down to the Hawks 99-92.
Jacob Holmen led the way with 29 points, with Jay Bowie slotting 23.
The team now returns to Kalgoorlie-Boulder for Saturday night’s home game against Willetton, a critical encounter as the side looks to keep pace with the top half of the ladder.
