Suns women stay fourth; Buccaneers make statement (Week 19 Sunday SBL wrap)

THE Kalamunda Eastern Suns consolidated fourth spot in the women's SBL standings with a win on Sunday while the Geraldton Buccaneers responded emphatically from three straight losses to remain on top of the men's competition with one round of the season to go.

Sunday's lone women's match saw the Kalamunda Eastern Suns thrash the Perry Lakes Hawks 84-52 at the WA Basketball Centre.

The win keeps the Eastern Suns in fourth position in the standings now with a 14-8 record to be just a game behind the third-placed Joondalup Wolves but more importantly two games clear of the fifth-placed Stirling Senators and the sixth-placed Cockburn Cougars.

The Suns have now played their final match of the regular season with the final round bye but can't lose that fourth position with the Senators and Cougars sitting two games behind with one match to play.

The loss for the Hawks leaves them in 10th position with a 6-16 record and their season also now over with the bye in the final round.

Alison Schwagmeyer top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 22 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two assists with Melissa Moyle adding 20 points, Sarah-Jane Knox 12 (10 rebounds, three blocks) and Jessie Edwards 11.

Rosie Tobin was the only Hawks player to score in double-figures finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds.

There were then the two men's matches on Sunday afternoon with the league-leading Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers thumping the Willetton Tigers 139-92 at Willetton Basketball Stadium and the Perry Lakes Hawks defeating the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 92-78 at the WA Basketball Centre.

After losing to the South West Slammers on Saturday night, the Buccaneers remained on top of the men's SBL but had lost three straight matches and had to make a statement on Sunday to reaffirm their position and championship credentials.

The Buccaneers came out on fire with 44 first quarter points, 85 first half points and then ending up with 139 for the match to beat the Tigers by 47 points.

The win improves Geraldton to an 18-7 record now on the season to be a game clear on top while Willetton slips to an 8-16 record in 12th position.

Aaron Ralph starred for the Buccaneers with 36 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 13-of-23 from the field and 6-of-10 from three-point territory.

Bennie Lewis backed up his 44-point effort on Saturday night with another strong showing on Sunday with 29 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Carter Cook also contributed 29 points, nine rebounds and four assists for Geraldton with Jerrah Young adding 15 points, 11 boards and four steals.

Quinn McDowell top-scored for Willetton with 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists with John Dickson finishing with 18 points and 10 boards.

Andrew Black also scored 12 points and Jake Burston 11.

The Hawks and Eastern Suns met in the final game of the weekend with both teams out of finals contention, and the home team Perry Lakes recorded a 14-point victory.

The result improves the Hawks to an 11-14 record with the Suns sitting on 6-19.

Justin Cecil led the way for Perry Lakes with 28 points and eight rebounds with Ben Purser scoring 20 points and Corey Easley contributing 19 points, 18 rebounds, eight assists and two blocked shots.

Ben Smith top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 32 points, six rebounds and three assists with Adhar Mayen adding 25 points, nine boards and four steals. Louis Timms also finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

SUNDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perry Lakes Hawks 52 lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns 84

SUNDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
Willetton Tigers 92 lost to Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers 139
Perry Lakes Hawks 92 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 78

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin




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