The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers are back in control of their own playoff destiny after grinding out a 104-102 victory over the Geraldton Buccaneers at the Eaton Recreation Centre on Saturday night.

After falling behind late in the first quarter playing coach Ty Harrelson (26 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds) found his range from beyond the arc, hitting three consecutive triples to send the Slammers into the first break ahead 29-28.

An outstanding four minute cameo from forward Jason Smith resulted in six quick points as the Slammers pushed their advantage out to 10 midway through the second term before the Buccs recovered slightly to enter half-time trailing 57-48.

A pair of Markus Monroe (19 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks) free throws after a flagrant foul from Geraldton’s Carter Cook gave the home side a 13 point buffer early in the third.

The Slammers’ star import was forced to leave the court for medical treatment following the incident and in his absence dismal shooting, particularly from long range, opened the door for the Buccaneers.

The Slammers went zero from seven from three point land and shot just 25 per cent from the field for the quarter as the visitors, led by Bennie Lewis (44 points) and fellow import Cook (27 points, eight rebounds, six assists), stormed back into the game.

Monroe returned late in the third but was powerless to stop Geraldton’s run. Cook was particularly impressive pouring in eight points in a matter of minutes as the Slammers watched their commanding lead evaporate to just one point entering the final term.

The fourth quarter was a scrappy affair with both sides committing 10 fouls, the Slammers making baskets at key intervals to hold onto their lead but lucky to escape with the win after converting just seven of 16 opportunities from the charity stripe.

A pair of Cook free throws cut the deficit to just one point with 13 seconds to play before Monroe was sent to the line following an intentional Geraldton foul.

The livewire guard converted his first attempt to put the Slammers ahead by two but it was veteran forward Lee Smith who iced the game for the South West, reacting quickest to snatch the rebound off Monroe’s missed second attempt allowing the home side to run down the clock for the win.

Article by Josh Zimmerman: South Western Times & Bunbury Herald

Photo by Mick Cronin