NBL1 West Recap | Tuesday Men's Round 17

The Mandurah Magic had been building ominously with the presence of Scott Machado but proved no match for the league-leading Perry Lakes Hawks on Tuesday night who were without their inspirational games record holder.

The Magic came into the game on the back of a league-best seven match winning streak having won the last seven games with Cairns Taipans NBL superstar Scott Machado in the line-up after a first up loss at the buzzer to the Willetton Tigers.

That set the stage for what should have been a fascinating battle with a Perry Lakes team needing to win to retain top spot at Bendat Basketball Centre on Tuesday night to Open Round 17 in the NBL1 West Men's Division season.

But even without the presence of club games record holder and Grand Final MVP Ben Purser, the Hawks proved far too strong going on to defeat the Magic 92-68 on their home floor on Tuesday night.

Round 17 continues with two matches now on Thursday night with the East Perth Eagles playing the Warwick Senators at Herb Graham Recreation Centre, and the Joondalup Wolves hosting the Cockburn Cougars at HBF Arena.

That leads into Friday night with the Perth Redbacks at home to the Mandurah Magic, the Perry Lakes Hawks hosting the Kalamunda Eastern Suns, and the Willetton Tigers playing host to the South West Slammers.

Then on Saturday evening, the Mandurah Magic are at home to the Rockingham Flames, while the Geraldton Buccaneers host the Cockburn Cougars and the South West Slammers face the Joondalup Wolves.

The Lakeside Lightning are also at home to the Perth Redbacks with the Goldfields Giants hosting the East Perth Eagles, and the Warwick Senators facing the Willetton Tigers.

Then lastly in Round 17, the Geraldton Buccaneers play the Kalamunda Eastern Suns on Sunday at Active Weste Stadium.

NBL1 WEST – 2021 MEN'S SEASON
ROUND 17 – TUESDAY NIGHT

PERRY LAKES HAWKS 92 defeated MANDURAH MAGIC 68

The stage was set at Bendat Basketball Centre on Tuesday night for a battle between two teams with expectations of being championship contenders, but the Perry Lakes Hawks quickly made sure it wouldn’t be much of a contest with the Mandurah Magic.

The Magic have been in some super impressive form since the arrival of their Cairns Taipans NBL superstar Scott Machado. 

They lost on the buzzer in their first game with Machado to Willetton but had won seven in-a-row since leading into Tuesday's clash with the Hawks knocking on the door of a top four spot.

However, they did need to keep winning if they wanted to break into the top four and it was always going be a significant challenge against Perry Lakes who came into the round in top spot and fresh off a 22-point win over East Perth in response to a surprise loss to the Wolfpack.

It was a mouth-watering match up to look forward to, but Perry Lakes quickly asserted their authority on the contest with a dominant first quarter made up of 24 points to nine.

The Magic were able to respond by putting up 23 points in the second period, the only problem was the Hawks still scored 23 more themselves to head into half-time leading 47-32.

There was still a chance for the Magic to mount a fightback and make a game of it in the second half, but the Hawks just wouldn’t be denied.

Perry Lakes again dominated the third quarter with another 28 points to 13 to put the result beyond doubt, and then end up cruising to the 92-68 victory.

That result keeps the Hawks in top spot and improves them to a 16-4 record while Mandurah's seven-game winning run comes to an end and at 12-7, their hope four hopes took a significant blow.

Even without the presence of co-captain Ben Purser, the Hawks were able to deliver a commanding performance with Matt Leary continuing his breakout, career-best season with another 26 points, five rebounds, five steals and two assists while hitting 4/9 from downtown.

Point guard Mitch Clarke was impressive again with 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals with Ryan Smith adding 12 points, three rebounds and two assists while hitting 4/7 from the three-point line.

Centre Andrew Ferguson had another strong performance with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and he might have been unlucky to have been credited with just the one block considering he blocked Brian Carlwell on one play alone.

Cooper Hamilton also had six points and three assists for Perry Lakes, and Lewis Thomas four points, six rebounds and three assists.

It's no real surprise given the way Perry Lakes dominated the game from the outset, but Scott Machado had his least impact on a game since joining the Magic with 12 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals on just 3/12 shooting from the field and 1/7 from deep.

Jerami Grace top-scored for Mandurah but he too shot just 5/14 from the floor and 2/9 from the three-point arc while Riley Parker added 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Jhonny Lutula eight points.