League leading Lightning strike twice (Round 11 MSBL Wrap)
Lakeside Lightning established a two-game gap at the top of the men's State Basketball League ladder after beating Wanneroo Wolves and Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks in round 11.
The round shaped as one of Lakeside's biggest tests of the season, with back-to-back matches against fellow top four sides, but last year's runner-up passed with few problems, beating Wanneroo 105-83 and Perry Lakes 86-75.
American forward Ben Beran had 25 points to lead Lakeside past the third-placed Wolves, whose four-game winning streak ended despite Greg Hire's 23 points and 15 rebounds.
And Beran was also in outstanding touch against the Hawks, scoring 25 points to hand Perry Lakes its second straight loss.
But the Hawks bounced back on Saturday with a thrilling 90-85 home win against Rockingham Flames, whose slim finals hopes were dealt yet another blow. Thirteenth-placed Rockingham has now lost 10 of its last 11 games.
Lakeside's impressive weekend was made even better by a shocking loss for second-placed side Cockburn Cougars, who fell 92-83 to Perth Redbacks.
Former NBL forward Adrian Majstrovich had 32 points to help Perth consolidate its top eight spot with its second win from three games and hand Cockburn its second loss from its previous four.
Defending champions Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers are just one win outside the top four after beating SKILLED Goldfields Giants 83-76.
Robert Kampman (27 points) helped Willetton become just the second team to beat the Giants in Kalgoorlie this season, while Goldfields fell to sixth spot as it lost for the third time in four games.
Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers ended their five-game losing streak and kept their slim playoff hopes alive with an 82-65 win against Mandurah Magic, who fell to 12th spot.
Wildcats guard Drew Williamson had 34 points to lead Australian Central East Perth Eagles to a 123-103 triumph over Kalamunda Eastern Suns, who have now lost three straight. Victory saw the Eagles move within one game of the top eight.
ATD Stirling Senators consolidated their top eight spot with a 106-97 win against Rockingham and a 99-93 triumph against winless side Southwest Slammers.
The Senators are in seventh place after winning three of their past four.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Mick Cronin
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