Giants lose five straight
The Giants suffered their fifth consecutive loss with yesterday’s 105-103 defeat to East Perth in over-time, despite a career-high 28 points from swingman Matt Leske.
Perth Wildcats NBL swingman Stephen Weigh was the difference for East Perth yesterday, racking up 46 points and nine rebounds, while seven-foot centre Sam Harris had 22 points.
Under rookie coach Wayne Creek, the Giants have now slumped to 13-11 and seventh spot after being in the hunt for a top-four berth a month ago.
The Giants have not lost five games in a row since 2001 when Barry Lawson was coach.
East Perth (12-12) has now snuck into the top eight, while the ninth-placed Stirling Senators (11-12) are within striking distance of the Giants.
The Giants had appeared set to snap its losing streak yesterday at 94-92 with two seconds remaining until East Perth guard Jarrod Balcombe sunk the basket which sent the game into over-time.
East Perth had led 26-21 at quarter-time and 50-48 at the main break, but the Giants turned for home 74-73 in front.
Giants captain Ryan Hulme, who went five-of-13 from beyond the three-point arc, led from the front with 28 points, including 11 in the first period.
In the process, Hulme became just the second player in Giants history to surpass the 4000 points milestone, behind only all-time leading scorer Leon Williamson (6349 points).
Hulme also starred with 28 points in Saturday’s 101-90 loss to the Lakeside Lightning, which followed three successive defeats at home.
The Giants started terribly against the Lightning, trailing 35-22 at quarter-time.
They dragged the margin back to within six points with 90 seconds remaining in the second period, but Lakeside took a 55-44 buffer into half-time.
Despite the best efforts of American import John Vaudreuil (22 points, 12 rebounds) and Hulme, who scored 10 of his 28 points in the third period, Lakeside extended their advantage to 84-69 at three-quarter-time.
The Giants play their final two regular season games at home against Stirling next Saturday and the fifth-ranked Wanneroo Wolves (15-9) on July 17.
Article by Jarrod Lucas (Kalgoorlie Miner)
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots/Courtside Media)
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