AN EXCELLENT offensive performance from Claire Jacobs has steered the Mandurah Magic to a massive 33-point win over the Joondalup Wolves in Round 7 of the NBL1 West Women’s, which kicked off last night.

The Magic had been solid over their first six games to start the season, breaking even with three wins and three losses, and with the likes of the Cockburn Cougars (6-0) and Warwick Senators (6-1) making moves ahead of the pack, they would need to get the job done against a struggling Wolves side.

It was a high-scoring start to the clash, with both teams finding cohesion on the offensive end as the Magic led by three points at Mandurah Aquatic and Rec Centre. However, the second quarter broke the contest open, with the home side going on a hefty run on the eve of half-time to lead 14 points at the main change. That momentum continued into the second half as Mandurah cruised home to a 33-point triumph to stay in touch with the top sides.

Although there were several strong performers for the Magic in the win, Jacobs proved the standout with plenty of nous when it comes to finding the bottom of the net and leading the match in scoring.

Mandurah Magic (106) def. Joondalup Wolves (73)

Claire Jacobs – 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal

The 23-year-old was immense in the win, leading the way as the Magic took over the contest in the second and third quarters and looms as a central figure in the future for Mandurah with her innate scoring ability.

She got on the board early with the first score of the match, driving inside and finishing at the cup to announce her intent for the match. It proved a winning strategy as she drew contact in the paint and converted at the charity stripe shortly after, and by the time she did this again and showed even more composure at the free throw line, it was evident she was looming as a key piece for the Magic.

Jacobs opened the second quarter with a bang, nailing her first three-pointer of the match after getting separation off the dribble and converting truly to put her side up by five points. The Wolves could not keep her from getting involved, as she showed excellent touch with a nice floater in transition a couple of minutes later.

By the time Jacobs splashed home her second three-pointer of the match at the halfway mark of the second quarter, she already had 14 points to her name, and was leading the way as Mandurah broke away to lead by double-digits at the main change.

After a rest to finish the second quarter, she started the third frame having not missed a beat, scoring five quick points out of the break including her third triple of the match, seeing the Magic boost their lead even further. She drove inside to finish at the hoop five minutes later before heading back to the bench having secured a huge lead for the home side.

With the Magic up by so much, Mandurah had the luxury to keep Jacobs on the bench for the remainder of the match, finishing off her hard work with a huge win to move up to sixth spot in the standings and snag a positive record of four wins and three losses.

Jacobs finished with 23 points on 8/14 shooting from the field, 3/6 shooting from long range and a perfect 4/4 shooting from the free throw line in a starring performance, and if she can keep up this level of production, expect the wins to keep racking up for the Magic.