THE Perth Redbacks shot up to third position in the men's SBL with a big win on Friday night leaving Lakeside and Stirling fighting over fourth spot while the Cockburn Cougars kept their hopes alive of a top four finish after a win in women's action to open Week 19.

The three women's matches on Friday night saw the top two teams, the Flames and Lightning, record wins to maintain their positions while the Cougars scored a crucial win to enhance their prospects of a top four finish.

Meanwhile, in the men's action the Senators strengthened their top four prospects, the Flames consolidated second spot and remained in contention for the minor premiership and the Redbacks shot up to third place.

The women's results saw the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames thrash the Perry Lakes Hawks 100-67 at Mike Barnett Sports Complex with the Lakeside Lightning overcoming the Stirling Senators 106-97 at Lakeside Recreation Centre and the Soprano Lady Cougars thumping the Perth Redbacks 90-50 at Wally Hagan Stadium.

The Hawks still had a faint hope of making the playoffs if they could win their final two matches of the regular season starting on Friday against the Flames, but the women's league-leaders proved far too strong with Rockingham thumping Perry Lakes by 33 points.

The win improves the Flames to a 19-2 record on the season to maintain a one-game advantage over the chasing Lightning while the Hawks slip to 6-15 down in 10th position.

Jacinta Bourne had a stunning outing for the Flames finishing with 34 points, 10 rebounds, seven steals and five assists on the back of shooting 10-of-15 from the field and 7-of-11 from three-point territory.

Darcee Garbin also had a good night for Rockingham with 23 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots on the back of shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Samantha Whitcomb added 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals with Kaye Tucker contributing 14 points, nine boards and seven assists.

Chelsea Boyanich top-scored for the Hawks with 22 points with Anna Kovats adding 11 points and Rosie Tobin 10.

The Lightning won an eighth-straight match but it was a tough contest at home to the Senators on Friday night.

In the end, Lakeside prevailed by nine points to improve to an 18-3 record and to remain undefeated this season on its home floor.

Stirling, meanwhile, remained in fifth position with a 12-9 record but it now only remains a chance of finishing in fourth position if the Kalamunda Eastern Suns don't beat the Perry Lakes Hawks on Sunday.

Kari Pickens was again the star for the Lightning finishing with 32 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Krystal Stoneking was outstanding as well for Lakeside with 28 points and eight rebounds with Jess Van Schie contributing 13 points, Emily Fielding 12 and Courtney Bayliss 11.

Taylor Wild did all she could for the Senators finishing with 29 points and six assists while shooting 11-of-19 from the floor and 7-of-10 from three-point territory.

Tegan Walker contributed 22 points, Amber Land 13 and Lyndal Gardner 10.

The Cougars had no trouble overcoming the bottom-placed Redbacks recording a 40-point victory to improve to a 12-9 record in sixth position, but also with only one match remaining the only way Cockburn can finish fourth is if the Suns lose on Sunday.

Deanna Smith top-scored for the Cougars with 19 points, seven rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks on the back of shooting 7-of-9 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.

Marita Payne added 18 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots as well for Cockburn with Emma Pass finishing with 13 points and Chelsea Evans 10 points and six assists.

Gabby O'Sullivan top-scored for the Redbacks with 12 points but none of her teammates scored more than Latoya Wallace's eight points.

Then in men's results on Friday night, the Stirling Senators beat the Lakeside Lightning 114-105 at Lakeside Recreation Centre, the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames beat the Perry Lakes Hawks 105-98 at Mike Barnett Sports Complex and the Perth Redbacks downed the Raw Nutrition Cockburn Cougars 107-102 at Wally Hagan Stadium.

The Senators beat the Lightning by nine points with the result having a big impact on potential playoff positions.

Stirling joined Lakeside on a 15-10 record with the result locking them in a battle over a position in the top four with one match of their season remaining.

Jordan Wild led the way for the Senators with 28 points and 12 rebounds with Cody Ellis adding 23 points (nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks), Cory Cooperwood 22 (11 boards, seven assists) and Josh Throns 15.

Brad Tinsley had a massive night for the Lightning with 44 points, six assists and four rebounds while shooting 17-of-30 from the floor and 4-of-8 from downtown.

Caleb Palkert added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Lightning and Jarrad Prue 12 points and 15 rebounds.

The Flames consolidated second position opening up a two-game gap now back to the third-placed Perth Redbacks while also joining the top-placed Geraldton Buccaneers on 17 wins.

Rockingham now sits on a 17-8 record after beating Perry Lakes by seven points on Friday night with the Hawks slipping to 10-14 and having no chance of making the playoffs in 2014.

Cooper Land finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Flames with Jarryd Griffin contributing 23 points, seven boards and three assists while shooting 9-of-13 from the field, and 5-of-6 from three-point territory.

Travis Moore added 14 points and seven rebounds as well for Rockingham with Tom Remmerswaal contributing 10 points and six boards.

Corey Easley top-scored for the Hawks with 25 points with Justin Cecil adding 23 points, Ben Purser 15, Josh Garlepp 15 and Ryan O'Sullivan 10.

The Redbacks then scored a narrow five-point win over the Cougars with Perth shooting up to third position as a result with a 15-9 record and two games of its season to go to consolidate that spot.

Cockburn was already but of finals contention and now slips to a 9-16 record in 12th position.

Stan Okoye had a huge night for the Redbacks with 42 points and 12 rebounds on the back of shooting 13-of-21 from the floor, 2-of-3 from downtown and 14-of-14 from the foul line.

Fellow import Lee Roberts also contributed 27 points and nine rebounds with Dennis Tawhiti contributing 19 points and eight boards.

Gavin Field did all he could for the Cougars with 41 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, three assists and two steals on the back of shooting 15-of-24 from the floor and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Seva Chan added 16 points for Cockburn, Damien Scott 14 and Anthony Borden 11.

FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Lakeside Lightning 106 defeated Stirling Senators 97
Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 100 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 67
Soprano Lady Cougars 90 defeated Perth Redbacks 50

FRIDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
Lakeside Lightning 105 lost to Stirling Senators 114
Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 105 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 98
Raw Nutrition Cockburn Cougars 102 lost to Perth Redbacks 107

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Serene-Elise Photography