Southern Tigers (50) lost to West Adelaide Bearcats (81)

The West Adelaide Bearcats had their finals chances on the line on Saturday night as they went up against the Southern Tigers, and they produced the goods with a strong 31 point victory away from home.
 
It wasn't easy for the Tigers when they lost their captain to injury early in the first quarter. Kelsie Rutland landed wrong when receiving a pass, immediately crashing to the court and clutching her ankle. 
 
West Adelaide made an early break, leading 20-5 at one stage, and then by 18 points at quarter time. Seeming like a blowout already, the Tigers held their nerve and played well to keep the margin the same at the half time break. Michaela Lappin registered an impressive 6 points and 10 rebounds in the first half for the Bearcats.
 
In short time West Adelaide turned it into a 31 point game, with Michaela Lappin and Sky Langenbrinck both shifting into another gear and scoring freely. Lappin had 16 points and 16 rebounds at three-quarter time.
 
Southern kept ticking over on the board, but never enough to reduce the margin significantly. Shayde Quintrell scored a team-high 18 points with 8 rebounds, while 15 points and 11 rebounds for Kaylee Biddell gave her a double-double for the night. Sky Langenbrinck top-scored for West with 17 points, while Anna Carbo was close to a triple-double with 10 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds.
 
With the win, West Adelaide are still in the hunt for a top five placing, however their chances are incredibly slim. For them to qualify for a post-season spot, the Bearcats will require Forestville to defeat the Rockets (North have a 7-1 record away from home in 2014), while West will also need to hand Norwood, the top-seed, their third loss of the season.
 
By Sam Tugwell

Top Scorers Southern
Shayde Quintrell 20
Kaylee Biddell 13
Lauren Fisher 7
Top Scorers West Adelaide
Sky Langenbrinck 17
Michaela Lappin 16
Megan McLeod 11