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A steadying import influence saved the Rockingham Flames women’s from a humiliating away loss against a vastly-improved South West Slammers on Friday night at the Eaton Recreation Centre.
Trailing by nine points midway during the third quarter against the winless Slammers — who were bolstered by the debut of decorated Perth Lynx star Alex Ciabattoni — the Flames tenaciously fought their way back to claim a 76-69 win, with Mehryn Kraker (24 points, six rebounds, eight assists) and Patricia Brossmann taking control in the paint when the game was up for grabs.
For the Slammers, who looked a shadow of the team reeling from back to back hidings against the Cockburn Cougars (111-22) and Willetton Tigers (101-44) leading into the clash, Ciabattoni (26 points) and American import Tylinn Carter (18 points, 16 rebounds) also left nothing in the tank.
A night later, Ciabattoni continued her hot offensive form at the Bendat Basketball Centre, shooting five of seven from beyond the three-point line in her side’s 102-75 loss against the Perry Lakes Hawks.
Another team who had plenty to smile about were the Willetton Tigers, who chalked up their fourth consecutive victory on Saturday night against the potent Warwick Senators away from home.
Trailing 62-56 at three-quarter time, the Tigers charged home to win 81-76, with Desiree Kelley making a number of standout plays in the final minutes of the clash.
Aside from their barnstorming offensive effort, the Tigers defence restricted the high-octane Senators offence to 13 three-point attempts. along with containing Stacey Barr (27 points) and Mackenzie Clinch-Hoycart (nine points) for lengthy passages of play.
In the men’s competition, the high-flying Geraldton Buccaneers remained undefeated after taking care of business 85-75 against the Goldfields Giants on Saturday night at Activewest Stadium.
The foundations of the Buccs’ triumph were laid down during a brilliant third quarter, with Cameron Coleman (24 points) doing his chances of NBL1 West men’s MVP no harm, on the back of another sensational night under the offensive glass.
Elsewhere, the Rockingham Flames and Joondalup Wolves continued their march up the men’s table, following comfortable victories over the Kalamunda Eastern Suns and Lakeside Lightning respectively.
Results
Men: East Perth Eagles d Perth Redbacks 90-86, Rockingham Flames d South West Slammers 87-74, Geraldton Buccaneers d Goldfields Giants 85-75, Joondalup Wolves d Lakeside Lightning 86-58, Mandurah Magic d Cockburn Cougars 93-67, Perry Lakes Hawks d South West Slammers 87-65, Rockingham Flames d Kalamunda Eastern Suns 105-93.
Women: East Perth Eagles d Perth Redbacks 76-59, Rockingham Flames d South West Slammers 76-69, Joondalup Wolves d Lakeside Lightning 115-69, Willetton Tigers d Warwick Senators 81-76, Cockburn Cougars d Mandurah Magic 105-93, Perry Lakes Hawks d South West Slammers 102-75, Rockingham Flames d Kalamunda Eastern Suns 104-82.
