Giants alive in finals push
Goldfields Giants coach Michael Haney has sung his team's praises for responding to last week's "wake-up call" with a 121-92 dismantling of the Mandurah Magic on Saturday night.
The local squad's season was on the line after losing both of last round's games by 30 plus points, and needed a win to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Giants jumped out to an early lead, and despite all-star Jacob Holmen battling early foul trouble, never trailed in their biggest win of the season.
Holmen still recorded 18 points and seven rebounds in reduced minutes, but fellow import Jay Bowie picked up the slack, starring with 29 points, nine rebounds, five assists and six steals.
Michael Haney paid tribute to his side after their 29-point win, which put them at equal eighth on the SBL ladder alongside the Lakeside Lightning and Perth Redbacks.
"Last week was a wake-up call. We had some success, but then we got punched in the mouth twice," he said.
"We had a very competitive week on the track and I think they brought that hunger onto the court. The boys really responded good, and it was probably one of the best games this club has played in the past five or six years."
The Giants dominated the game from start to finish, jumping out to a 27-13 lead after the first quarter.
Mandurah closed the gap to just six points at the main break on the back of a 30-point second term, but the Giants held them to just 16 points in the third to effectively end the Magic's chances.
Goldfields' domination was reflected in the statistics, with the team winning every major statistical category.
The Giants outscored Mandurah 54-34 in the paint, 24-11 off turnovers and 37-25 in bench points.
However Haney said he was most pleased with his side's ball control, which resulted in 35 assists against just nine turnovers.
"It was a great performance. The boys did really well, we executed our game plan once again," he said.
"Whenever we are playing offence and moving the ball the way we did, you are going to get high percentage shots and to get 35 assists is phenomenal."
The Giants return to Brookman Street stadium this Saturday night to face former club MVP Ty Harrelson and his South West Slammers squad.
