THINGS remained tight at the top of the women's SBL after Week 15 of the 2015 season with the Rockingham Flames, Willetton Tigers and Joondalup Wolves all recording wins while the East Perth Eagles kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over the Perth Redbacks.

The two women's SBL matches on Friday night saw the Stirling Senators beat the Lakeside Lightning 82-48 at Lakeside Recreation Centre and the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames defeated the Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars 87-75 at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.

There were four women's matches in the SBL on Saturday night with the Schweigen East Perth Eagles beating the Perth Redbacks 68-53 and the Perry Lakes Hawks defeating the Lakeside Lightning 71-58 at Bendat Basketball Centre.

The Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers also beat the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 63-50 at Willetton Basketball Stadium with the Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves downing the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 100-57 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.

There was just the one women's SBL match on Sunday to close Week 15 of the competition and it saw the Kalamunda Eastern Suns beat the Perry Lakes Hawks 84-68 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

Following the weekend's action, the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames (15-1) remain a game clear on top of the women's SBL ahead of the Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers (15-2), Mandurah Magic (12-3) and Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves (14-4).

The Kalamunda Eastern Suns (11-6) are then clear in fifth position ahead of the Perry Lakes Hawks (7-9), Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (6-9) and Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars (7-11).

The Schweigen East Perth Eagles (5-11) are knocking on the door of the top eight followed by the Stirling Senators (3-13), Perth Redbacks (3-13) and Lakeside Lightning (1-17).

There were again a host of outstanding individual performances in the women's SBL on the weekend as well starting on Friday night with Cassie Bates top-scoring for Stirling with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists on the back of shooting 9-of-15 from the floor.

Bridget Henderson added 14 points, six assists and five boards as well for the Senators while Emma Berryman contributed 12 points, four assists and three rebounds, Tegan Walker 11 points, eight boards, five assists and three steals, and Amber Land 11 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three blocked shots and two steals.

Ashleigh Grant top-scored for the Lightning with 18 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots with Courtney Byrnes adding 15 points, five boards and five assists.

Samantha Whitcomb again led the way for the Flames with 24 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals on the back of an outstanding shooting night going 7-of-9 from the field, 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line.

Darcee Garbin also did well for Rockingham finishing with 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals while Jacinta Bourne contributed 17 points and four assists, Tarsha Fletcher 11 points, seven boards and four assists and Talisia Bourne nine points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Playing-coach Deanna Smith did all she could for the Cougars with 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists with Taryn Priestly contributing 22 points and five assists, Katie Loberg 22 points, eight boards and seven assists.

Then on Saturday night, Kelsey Maffin continued her impressive form with the Eagles leading the way in the victory over the Redbacks with 18 points and 12 rebounds while Nicole Jorre St Jorre added 10 points, eight boards and three assists, and Dannielle Devenny 10 points.

Gaby Clayton finished with 17 points and three rebounds for the Redbacks with Jess Jakens contributing 13 points and 10 boards, and Alix Hayward eight points and 10 rebounds.

Danika Pisconeri led the way for the Hawks in the win with 17 points, 19 rebounds and three assists while shooting 8-of-14 from the field.

Kassi Conditt also contributed 12 points, five boards, five assists and three blocked shots for Perry Lakes while Lauren Jeffers added 10 points and Sarah Donovan 10 points and eight rebounds.

Ashleigh Grant top-scored for the Lightning continuing her breakout season with 20 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots while Tia Ucich contributed 14 points, six boards and three assists, and Courtney Byrnes eight points, eight assists and four rebounds.

Kate Malpass top-scored for the Tigers with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals with Lisa Wallbutton adding 10 points and seven boards and Ebony Antonio 10 points and six rebounds.

Louella Tomlinson had a significant impact for Willetton with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocked shots and two steals with Zoe Harper adding five points and nine boards.

Abbey Duinker led the way for the Suns with 18 points, six rebounds, five steals, two blocks and two assists with Melissa Moyle adding eight points and Jessie Edwards seven points and eight boards.

Rebecca Mercer led the way for the Wolves with 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals on the back of shooting 9-of-16 shooting from the field, and 6-of-11 from beyond the three-point arc.

Nikita-Lee Martin added 15 points for the Lady Wolfpack with Ellyce Ironmonger contributing 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocked shots and two steals, Antonia Edmondson 11 points and Chelsea Burns 10 points, 10 boards, seven assists, four steals and two blocked shots.

Kate Fielding ended up top-scoring for the Slammers with 20 points, seven rebounds and three steals with Patricia Bright adding 15 points, six boards and two blocked shots and Deonica McCormick nine points, five rebounds and two assists.

And on Sunday, Madeleine Dennis top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals on the back of shooting 6-of-9 from the field.

Jessie Edwards added 22 points, eight boards and three blocked shots for Kalamunda with Rebecca Motroni contributing 15 points, Abbey Duinker 14 points and 13 boards, and Melissa Moyle eight points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Sarah Donovan ended up top-scoring for the Hawks with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists with Mia Satie adding 10 points and eight boards, Kassi Conditt 10 points and five rebounds, and Georgia Clarke nine points and three assists.

FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Lakeside Lightning 48 lost to Stirling Senators 82
Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 87 defeated Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars 75

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Schweigen East Perth Eagles 68 defeated Perth Redbacks 53
Perry Lakes Hawks 71 defeated Lakeside Lightning 58
Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers 63 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 50
Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves 100 defeated Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 57

SUNDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 84 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 68

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin