Recap NBL1 West | Round 8 Friday

Featured images: Codex Design Studio / Madeleine Clark

Joel Murray dazzled with 50 points as the Mandurah Magic beat Willetton after the Tigers women won a thriller while the East Perth Eagles and Cockburn Cougars, and Rockingham Flames and Eastern Suns split their results.

Friday night's women's results saw the Cockburn Cougars beat the East Perth Eagles 71-45, the Rockingham Flames defeat the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 102-71, and the Willetton Tigers down the Mandurah Magic 74-73.

Then in the men's matches, the Eagles beat the Cougars 109-95, the Eastern Suns beat the Flames 80-79, and the Magic defeated the Tigers 99-81.

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WOMEN

East Perth Eagles (45) lost to Cockburn Cougars (71)

The defending champion Cockburn Cougars continue to be building some ominous form this season with a 71-45 win on the road on Friday night to the East Perth Eagles.

East Perth was fresh off its first win of the season two weeks ago against the Mandurah Magic before the bye last week ahead of hosting a Cockburn team coming off two big wins last week over Perth and Warwick by a combined 75 points.

The Cougars arrived at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on a mission too and raced out to a 13-2 lead in the opening six minutes with East Perth managing just the two points in that time.

From there, Cockburn went on to lead 19-8 by the end of the first quarter with the Cougars pulling away further in the second period with another 24 points to 10 to go into the long break leading 43-18.

It had been a brutal first half for the Eagles with the Cougars flexing their muscles, and with the result all but sewn up going into the second half, it was Cockburn just outscoring East Perth 28 points to 27.

The Cougars went on to score the 26-point win to improve to an 8-2 record in their championship defence ahead of taking on Marena Whittle and the Warwick Senators at home on Saturday.

Israeli import Daniel Raber impressed again for Cockburn with 13 points and 10 rebounds with Jewel Williams adding 13 points, four boards and two assists, and Alex Ciabattoni 11 points, four assists and three rebounds.

The Cougars had plenty more contributors with Jaya Scafidi adding nine points and three rebounds, Steph Gorman seven points, three boards and two steals, Jessie Edwards seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, and Harriet Ford pulled down 10 boards.

It was a tough night for East Perth with Laci Hawthorne finishing with 17 points, 12 rebounds and two steals with Mary Goulding adding 14 points, nine boards and three assists.

Bri Bailey also had six points, four assists and three rebounds, and Mary Baskerville six points and three boards.

EAST PERTH EAGLES 45 (Hawthorne 17, Goulding 14, Bailey 6, Baskerville 6)

COCKBURN COUGARS 71 (Williams 13, Raber 13, Ciabattoni 11)

Rockingham Flames (102) defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns (71)

The Rockingham Flames have maintained their undefeated NBL1 West season with a 102-71 home win on Friday night over the Eastern Suns.

Rockingham were back home at Mike Barnett Sports Complex putting its 9-0 record on the line despite the absence of Sophie Doran, Alex Sharp, Jess Jakens and with Robbi Ryan yet to arrive.

That potentially opened the door slightly for the Eastern Suns who arrived in Rockingham having lost to the same Flames team at home the week before by 46 points as part of a seven-game losing streak with an averaging margin of 37 points.

It was a tight contest in the opening quarter with the Flames only leading by a point at quarter-time, but Rockingham then pulled away in the second period with 31 points to 13 on the way to a 54-35 advantage going into the half-time break.

It was another 27 points to 18 in the third quarter for Rockingham and 21 to 18 in the fourth on the way to the 31-point victory to improve to a perfect 10-0 record on the season.

The Flames might have been without Sharp and Jakens in the front court, but Georgia Pineau more than picked up the slack with 31 points and 13 rebounds on 13/25 shooting from the field.

Nes'eya Parker-Williams also kept her terrific form going with 11 points, 16 rebounds and four assists while Opal Mader contributed 17 points, four boards, two assists and two steals, Emma Gandini 16 points, four rebounds and two steals, Emily Steven 13 points and four rebounds.

Shani Amos also dished out 12 assists in the 280th game of her career.

Tiahna Sears ended up top-scoring for Kalamunda with 15 points and six rebounds with Olivia Berry contributing 13 points and four assists, Ella Fotu 13 points, and Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

ROCKINGHAM FLAMES 102 (Pineau 31, Made 17, Gandini 16)

KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 71 (Sears 15, Berry 13, Fotu 13)

Willetton Tigers (74) defeated Mandurah Magic (73)

The Mandurah Magic got a much-needed boost with the arrival of Christina Boag but it wasn’t quite enough with the Willetton Tigers clinging on for the 74-73 victory at home.

Willetton might have started the season slower than usual, but on the back of reaching the last three Grand Finals, the Tigers had been building some momentum before a disappointing loss last week to the Lakeside Lightning.

They were back at Willetton Basketball Stadium to open Round 8 to host a Magic team attempting to back up their return to the winner's list in Kalgoorlie against the Goldfields Giants.

Mandurah also welcomed former Rockingham Flames championship winner Christina Boag into the line-up to add some support up front as she takes over from the spot left vacant by twin sister Carly who is out after rupturing her ACL late in the 2023 season.

The Tigers did get the better of the start on their home floor racing out to a 13-point lead before Mandurah did work back into the contest with seven straight points of their own to cut the deficit to seven after one.

Willetton did push back out to a 13-point lead once more in the second quarter and that got out to a game-high 15 in the third period, but the Magic were then able to show their trademark fight to work right back into the contest the rest of the third period.

It was just a three-point margin at three quarter-time and Mandurah kept the momentum going into the fourth and then the visitors hit the front with just over five minutes to play thanks to an offensive rebound and putback from captain Rachel Halleen.

Casey Mihovilovich then forced the steal and set up an Emma Klasztorny finish to push the Mandurah lead to three. Klasztorny scored again to make the Magic lead five and it was up to the Tigers to respond once more.

It was the front court guns of Willetton who led the fightback starting with a triple from Melisa Brcaninovic and then an and-one from Jillian Archer.

That lead didn’t last long because Halleen answered with a three ball for Mandurah, and the 372-game skipper hit another from deep soon after to keep the Magic up three with 2:15 on the clock.

Archer brought Willetton back within two and then it was a Kiara Waite floater that put them back in front, which is where they would stay.

Just as it looked like Willetton would be allowed to run out the clock, Hayley Newton coughed it up to give Mandurah a last shot at the win at the buzzer. Boag did get a good look at the three up top too, but it wouldn’t fall and Willetton held out for the one-point win.

Jillian Archer was tremendous for Willetton in just her third appearance with 21 points and 11 rebounds with Melisa Brcaninovic adding 18 points, six boards and five assists before fouling out.

Claire Jacobs also had 14 points and two steals, Grace Foster eight points, eight rebounds and three assists, and Kiara Waite six points, four boards and two assists.

It was a fighting showing from Mandurah with Christina Boag impressing in her first game of the season and first with Mandurah, and 83rd in the league, with 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Rachel Halleen also had 12 points, two assists and two steals with Emma Klasztorny contributing 11 points, four rebounds and two assists, Donica Cosby nine points, two boards and two steals, and Casey Mihovilovich seven points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals.

WILLETTON TIGERS 74 (Archer 21, Brcaninovic 18, C Jacobs 14)

MANDURAH MAGIC 73 (Boag 22, Halleen 12, Klasztorny 11)

MEN

East Perth Eagles (109) defeated Cockburn Cougars (95)

The East Perth Eagles welcomed Lee Roberts to their front court and kept their momentum rolling with the 109-95 win over the wounded Cockburn Cougars.

The Eagles came back home to Peter Campbell Basketball Arena at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on a high following ending Geraldton's 19-game home winning streak in fine style last Saturday night.

East Perth then added back experienced big man and 2017 Grand Final MVP Roberts for the first time this season following his campaign in Uruguay ending, and the Eagles went mighty big with their starting five.

With Roberts alongside David Okwera and Sharif Watson with the back court of Taylor Young and Sunday Dech, it was a nightmare match up for a Cougars team coming into the game without experienced point guards Seva Chan and Kyle Armour.

Hunter Clarke then lasted less than nine minutes with his troublesome ankle and the Cougars were suddenly missing their top three choice point guards, and they were playing catch up most of the evening as a result.

East Perth had opened up a 28-21 lead by the end of the first quarter before pushing that lead out to 14 in the second term, and going into half-time on top 62-51.

Cockburn was doing its best to stay in touch, but giving up 62 points in a half was never going to get it done and the East Perth lead got out to 18 points in the second half before they went on to score the 14-point win.

It was the impressive front court from the Eagles which ultimately was the difference. The four pronged attack of bigs was a match-winning combination with David Okwera putting up another 19 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Sebit Reath might not have started but had a significant impact with 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks with Lee Roberts putting up 17 points and seven rebounds despite battling foul trouble in his first appearance of the season.

Sharif Watson also had 13 points, three assists and three steals while there was also Taylor Young contributing 14 points, nine assists and six rebounds, Sunday Dech 13 points and six assists, and Nick Filpo 11 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Cockburn slips to a 3-7 record with the fourth straight loss ahead of heading home to host the Warwick Senators on Saturday.

Rhys Vague stepped up to hit 6/11 from downtown for 29 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while Josh Hunt shook off last week's ankle injury for 26 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds.

Gavin Field also had 12 points and four assists for Cockburn, Demetris Morant eight points, four rebounds and three assists, and Will Yarran eight points, four boards and three assists.

EAST PERTH EAGLES 109 (Reath 21, Okwera 19, Roberts 17)

COCKBURN COUGARS 95 (Vague 29, Hunt 26, Field 12)

Rockingham Flames (79) lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns (80)

Marek Nelson produced a match-winning performance as the Kalamunda Eastern Suns scored the morale boosting 80-79 road victory over the Rockingham Flames.

The Suns arrived at Mike Barnett Sports Complex on Friday night looking for a second win of the season and to snap a six-game losing run where there have been several near misses.

They arrived to take on a Rockingham team still without two-time MVP Devondrick Walker and new Tasmania JackJumpers NBL signing Gorjok Gak so the chance was there for the Eastern Suns if they were good enough.

It was a close contest right throughout the first half with no more than five points ever separating the two teams with Rockingham leading by two points at quarter-time and then going into the half-time break narrowly leading 40-37.

The Eastern Suns came out hot in the third quarter and ended up completing a 12-0 run to be leading by nine, and that memorable road win was suddenly within touching distance.

However, Rockingham was back up 59-57 by three quarter-time before the Flames appeared back in control when leading by seven following a three ball from 314-game captain Ryan Godfrey with eight minutes to play.

The lead soon got out to eight but the Suns worked back into the contest and Rockingham did appear to continue to have the answers when Jono Janssen knocked down a triple with 3:30 to play.

That made the Flames' lead four once again but then it was games record holder Seb Salinas hit a trademark three ball for Kalamunda in the 523rd game of his career.

Jansen responded with a three-point play for Rockingham but the Eastern Suns wouldn’t go away and a triple from Di'Ante Mearis had them back within a point with two minutes to play.

It always appeared destined to go down to the wire and two free-throws from Marek Nelson with 30 seconds to go had scores level at 79-79.

Two horror turnovers late from Rockingham ended up being crucial and on the last possession Nelson was fouled by Justin Beard. The Suns import stepped up to make the first, miss the second and time expired for Kalamunda to score the memorable win.

Whether Rockingham had Devondrick Walker or Gorjok Gak or not, it was still a big win for the Eastern Suns with Marek Nelson the star of the night with 32 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three steals on 14/18 free-throw shooting.

Raphell Thomas-Edwards also had 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals with Reece Maxwell contributing 11 points, Di'Ante Mearis seven points and three steals, and Seb Salinas seven points and four rebounds.

Rockingham slipped to a 7-3 record on the season having now lost three of the last five with Quintin Dove top-scoring with 20 points, five rebounds and two steals.

Justin Beard added 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Jono Janssen 18 points, six boards, three assists and three blocks, and Ryan Godfrey eight points, five assists, three steals and two rebounds.

ROCKINGHAM FLAMES 79 (Dove 20, Beard 19, Janssen 18)

KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 80 (Nelson 32, Thomas-Edwards 13, Maxwell 11)

Willetton Tigers (81) lost to Mandurah Magic (99)

Joel Murray further stamped his NBL1 West MVP credentials with a dazzling 50-point performance as the Mandurah Magic scored the statement 99-81 victory on the road to the Willetton Tigers.

The Tigers came into the match up at Willetton Basketball Stadium in hot form having won seven straight matches but they were without 336-game veteran guard Damien Scott and would have a night to forget.

Mandurah might have come in with a 5-5 record but have been more impressive than that suggests, and it all came together from the outset away to the Tigers on Friday night with Joel Murray proving unstoppable.

The Magic raced out to a 17-point lead in the opening period and that lead grew to 27 points in the second frame before Mandurah went into the half-time break leading 58-31 on the back of 28 points from Murray with the Tigers having no answers for the dynamic shooting guard.

The lead for Mandurah got out to as much as 28 points throughout the second half with the Magic ending up scoring the 18-point victory to improve to 6-5 on the season.

It was a night to remember for Magic import Joel Murray who only joined Mandurah when original signing Taj Benning took up an assistant coaching job at Fairfield University.

It was a spectacular performance from Murray consisting of 50 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals on the back of shooting 19/28 from the floor and 11/13 at the free-throw line.

Fellow import Michael Durr was a strong presence inside as well for 19 points, 25 rebounds, three assists and two blocks with Jarrod Molnar adding 14 points, three boards and two assists, and Lachlan Bertram eight points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

It was a second loss of the season for Willetton only with Marshall Nelson top-scoring with 25 points to go with four rebounds, three assists and two steals on 4/8 three-point shooting.

Michael Dupree added 13 points and three rebounds, Josh Ibukunoluwa 10 points, five boards and five assists, Deng Gak six points and seven rebounds, and Roosevelt Williams five points and five assists.

WILLETTON TIGERS 81 (Nelson 25, Dupree 13, Ibukunoluwa 10)

MANDURAH MAGIC 99 (Murray 50, Durr 19, Molnar 14)