Redbacks Fifth Straight Win

The Perth Redbacks’ men’s State Basketball League team had strong wins against the Cockburn Cougars and East Perth Eagles to extend their winning streak to five games.

Redbacks’ forward Stan Okoye amassed 42 points and 12 rebounds in their 107 to 102 away-game win against the Cougars.

Power-forward Lee Roberts was their next highest scorer with 27 along with nine rebounds while centre Dennis Tawhiti scored 19 and brought down eight rebounds.

Roberts was the Redbacks top scorer in their 91 to 79 win over the East Perth Eagles with 29 while bringing down 17 rebounds and making three steals.

Shooting guard Jarrad Prior was their next highest scorer with 14 while, in a high-impact four minutes on court that changed the tide of the game, fellow shooting guard Marshall Nelson amassed 11 points.

The two wins were vital for the Redbacks’ men as they move up one place to third in the 14-team competition with 16 wins and nine losses with just one qualifying round game to go.

The Redbacks’ women’s team secured their second win of the season in two-weeks in beating the Eagles 72 to 67.

Redbacks’ guard Gabby O’Sullivan top-scored with 18 along with five steals and five rebounds.

Redbacks’ forward Jess Jakens had 17 along with 11 rebounds and two steals while shooting guard Jess Hughes, who made a massive game-saving block against the Eagles US import Stephanie Jones with just over a minute to go, scored 12.

The Redbacks’ women lost their game the previous night against the Cougars 50 to 90.

O’Sullivan was again their top-scorer with 12 while Jakens had nine rebounds and five points.

The Redbacks’ women have two wins and 19 losses and are in 12^th place in the 12-team competition.

The Redbacks’ men have a vital away-game against the Willetton Tigers in which a win will see them secure third-place.

That game starts at 8PM on Saturday and is preceded by the women’s game at 6PM.