Hawks, Cougars split wins to open final round (Week 20 Friday night SBL wrap)
THE PERRY Lakes Hawks women and Cockburn Cougars men both scored victories in the lone Friday night SBL matches on Friday night in the final round of the regular season.
The lone women's match on Friday night in the final round saw the Perry Lakes Hawks beat the Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars 77-59 at Bendat Basketball Centre.
There was just one men's match to open the final round of the regular season on Friday night and it saw the Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars beat the Perry Lakes Hawks 108-101 at Bendat Basketball Centre.
Starting with the women's match, the Hawks got off to a flying start with 22 points to 11 in the first quarter against the Cougars, and by half-time were in control leading 44-28 before going on to win the game by 18 points and tune up for the playoffs in style.
The Hawks have now finished their regular season winning their last two games to end on a 10-12 record and to appear set to finish in sixth spot while the Cougars will end at 9-13 and having lost their last two.
Kassi Conditt led the way for Perry Lakes with 14 points, six rebounds and two steals for the game with Danika Pisconeri adding 14 points, six boards and two assists while shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the field and nailing her one three-point and free-throw attempt.
Lucy Stewart finished with 10 points also for the Hawks while Megan McKay contributed nine points and five rebounds, and Lauren Jeffers seven points, 15 assists, 10 boards and three steals.
Playing-coach Deanna Smith did all she could for the Cougars with 18 points, 11 rebounds and three rebounds while shooting 6-of-10 from the field, and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Taryn Priestly added 10 points and five boards as well for Cockburn while Abbie McDonald finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
And then in the men's contest, the Cougars ensured their top four finish beating the Hawks in a terrific contest with Cockburn ending its regular season with two straight wins and a 17-9 record while Perry Lakes finishes on 12-14.
Little separated the two playoff bound teams the entire night in a high-quality affair and in the end it was the Cougars who narrowly held on for the seven-point road victory to gear up for the post-season.
Eric Milam ended up top-scoring for the Cougars in the win finishing the night with 27 points and seven rebounds while shooting 10-of-15 from the floor, and 7-of-11 from the charity stripe.
Gavin Field also finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, five blocked shots and three assists for Cockburn while Najee Lane contributed 18 points, seven boards, three assists and two steals, Julian Pesava 12 points and nine rebounds, and Grant Davey 10 points, six assists and five boards.
Bryton Hobbs did all he could to try and keep Perry Lakes' winning streak going heading into the playoffs with 37 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Ryan Smith added 20 points for the Hawks, Ben Purser 15 points, 12 rebounds and five assists and Ben Dixon 10 points.
FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perry Lakes Hawks 77 defeated Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars 59
FRIDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perry Lakes Hawks 101 lost to Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars 108
Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin
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