Kalamunda Eastern Suns Women Overcome Mandurah Magic Women in NWBL1 West Grudge Match

The Kalamunda Eastern Suns Women held home court advantage and defeated the Mandurah Magic Women 80–71 in a hard-fought National Women’s Basketball League1 West battle on May 16, 2026. A strong second-half performance, anchored by relentless defense, allowed the Suns to pull away from a stubborn Mandurah side.

First Half Tension

The opening quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Mandurah’s fast breaks causing early problems for Kalamunda. The Magic led by four points at the end of the first quarter, but the Suns rallied in the second period, tying the game 38–38 at halftime. The energy in the arena lifted as Kalamunda’s home crowd sensed a turning point.

Third Quarter Decisive Run

The Suns came out of the locker room with renewed intensity. A 14–2 run early in the third quarter forced Mandurah to call timeout, but the damage was done. Kalamunda’s forwards dominated the glass, collecting multiple offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points. By the end of the third, the Suns held a 62–53 lead.

• Kalamunda Eastern Suns Women: The team’s balanced scoring attack featured three players in double digits, with the point guard orchestrating the offence efficiently and committing only two turnovers in the second half.
• Mandurah Magic Women: Despite the loss, Mandurah’s leading scorer finished with 22 points, but lack of support from the bench proved costly. The Magic struggled to contain the Suns’ inside game, which produced 42 points in the paint.

Why Kalamunda Won

The difference came down to hustle and composure. The Suns outrebounded the Magic 44–32 and forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 19 points. Mandurah’s perimeter defence was porous at times, allowing Kalamunda to hit key three-pointers when the game hung in the balance.

Season Context

This victory moves the Kalamunda Eastern Suns Women to a strong position in the NWBL1 West standings, keeping them in contention for a playoff berth. For Mandurah Magic Women, the result is a setback but not a knockout, as the season still has many rounds to play. Both teams will be back in action later this week.

Fans can follow the NWBL1 West leaderboard and upcoming matches on the official league website.