Suns Split Results in First Road Test Against Mandurah

The Eastern Suns hit the road for the first time in the 2026 NBL1 West season on Saturday night, taking on the Mandurah Magic and returning home with a split result.

The night featured strong individual performances, a dominant men’s display, and a breakout shooting performance that lit up the contest.

WOMEN

The Suns women fell 64–82 to Mandurah, with the home side pulling away in the second half after a tightly contested opening.

The Suns matched Mandurah early, finishing the first quarter level before staying within reach at halftime. However, the Magic found another gear after the break, creating separation through the third and fourth quarters.

Gabriela Bronson led the Suns with 14 points and 8 rebounds, continuing her strong start to the season.

Yume Knoll delivered an impressive all-around performance, finishing with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, impacting the game across multiple areas.

Alyssa Bowen added 8 points and 6 rebounds, while Denae Civich contributed 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in a solid outing.

Despite the result, the Suns showed strong effort and balance, particularly in the opening half, as they continue to build cohesion early in the season.

MEN

The Suns men produced a commanding performance to defeat Mandurah 99–76, showcasing offensive firepower and control across all four quarters.

After a competitive opening term, the Suns took control in the second quarter and never looked back, extending the lead through the second half with consistent scoring and defensive pressure.

The headline performance came from Jesse Pollock, who delivered a three-point masterclass, pouring in 29 points while shooting an elite 63.6% from beyond the arc.

Terrandus Smith was again influential with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals, while Joe Cook-Green orchestrated the offence superbly with 16 points and 8 assists.

Marley Sam continued his strong form with 16 points, 5 assists and 3 steals, contributing on both ends of the floor.

The night also marked two Suns players; Riley Pabst and Zavier Pickersgill earning their first NBL1 minutes, highlighting the depth and development within the program.

Another split result provides plenty of positives from the Suns’ first road trip of the season.

The men continue to build strong momentum with a dominant performance and elite shooting display, while the women showed encouraging signs, particularly in the opening half. With valuable experience gained away from home, both teams now look ahead to continuing their growth as the season unfolds.

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