Geraldton Buccaneers claim minor premiership with win over Mandurah in final home game of regular season

The Buccaneers locked up top spot on the NBL1 West ladder, defeating contender Mandurah Magic at ActiveWest Stadium as the side shifts their mindset to finals.

After going shot for shot for the first half, scoring 119 points between them, Geraldton took to the Magic in the third quarter.

In five minutes of mayhem from the home side, they flipped the game on its head, scoring 17 points to just two, getting on top in the contest.

The separation was maintained for the rest of the game, with the Buccs winning 115-110 in their last home game for the regular season.

Liam Hunt performed strongly in the win, scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists in a solid performance, including eight points during the third period blitz.

Josh Keyes also played his role, with a team-high 25 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, shooting at 77 per cent from the field.

The game started with fast pace, as both sides looked to score as quickly as possible.

The two sides kept putting up shot for shot, with Nik DeSantis popping up for 11 first-quarter points.

However, Mandurah’s Joel Murray would be the thorn in the Buccs’ side, showing his MVP credentials against the top side.

Defensive player of the year nominee Johny Narkle, sixth man of the year nominee Bob Griechen, and Junior Garbrah all spent time trying to quell Murray’s influence throughout the contest, with all three drawing three or more fouls each.

After scoring 27 points in the first half, Murray was kept quiet in the third period, as Geraldton looked to lock him down.

Although he scored 41 points for the match, Murray’s influence was quelled by the team defence put on by the Buccaneers.

It coincided with the Buccs going on a run, creating the much needed separation for the side to break away.

The side went from being down one point at the half to being 14 points up at the start of the fourth.

The buffer proved too much for the Magic, with Geraldton taking the 15-point win.

Other contributors included DeSantis (15 points, seven rebounds, four assists), Narkle (23 points, two rebounds, two assists), and Josh Braun (11 points, two rebounds, two assists).

Meanwhile, Aaron Ralph came off the bench with great effect, scoring 10 points, four rebounds, and two steals.

As part of First Nations round, the Buccaneers wore a jersey designed by Dainira Papertalk.

According to Ms Papertalk, the design represented Geraldton as a meeting place, where we come together as one for the sport we love.

The last round of the season will see the Buccs take on the Perth Redbacks in Perth, in a battle between the top and bottom of the ladder.

The game will take place at 11am on Saturday, July 20.