Wolves douse Flames in opener (Women's Wrap)
The Wolves have two chances to clinch the best-of-three series at Rockingham next week, but it will be a tough ask with the Flames 9-2 at home in the regular season.
Sue Williams and Rebecca Mercer starred with 18 points each for Wanneroo to help the seventh seed overrun Rockingham in the second half, outscoring it 40-27 after half-time.
Kaye Tucker had 21 points and nine rebounds for second seed Rockingham, which has lost three of its last four, including the regular season.
Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks also scored a minor upset with a 78-68 win at 2009 Grand Finalists Mandurah Magic, putting the Hawks in control of that series.
Despite Perry Lakes finishing the season third, compared to Mandurah’s sixth, the Magic were favourites in game one due to its 10-1 regular season home record.
The Hawks are at home for games two and three next week and should advance, after Tegan Walker (19 points) put it in the box seat of the series, while Casey Mihovilovich (20 points) and Shelley Boston (19 points, 15 rebounds) provided the resistance for Mandurah.
Southside Mitsubishi Perth Redbacks will be heavily favoured to advance after beating Australian Central East Perth Eagles 54-47.
The fourth and fifth placed sides were separated only on head-to-head in the regular season but Perth always looked in control, on the back of Marita Payne’s team-high 16 points.
The Eagles will have to win twice at Perth next week to advance after a disappointing performance where only Ashley Gilmore and Samantha Norwood, who combined for 30 points, provided any real resistance.
Top side Southlands Willetton Tigers should progress to the semi-finals after beating Lakeside Lightning in a 64-62 thriller.
The eighth placed Lightning gave Willetton a scare when it reduced the margin to three with two minutes left, but the defending champions held their nerve to claim the win.
Kate Malpass (16 points) was among Willetton’s best, while Heidi McNeill led Lakeside with a game-high 18 points.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Wayne Wright (Wayne Wright Photography)
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