Ralph leads resurgent Buccs past Willetton
For the second time this season, Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers forward Aaron Ralph has led his side to men's State Basketball League victory against Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers in the final seconds.
The Buccaneers got their finals hopes back on track with the 100-95 round 12 victory at Willetton Basketball Stadium, but once again it required Ralph's late heroics.
When the two sides met in Geraldton in round five, Ralph hit a three-pointer with just three second left to win the game, and this time he completed a three-point play with 27 seconds remaining to ensure the Buccaneers completed the double over the side that beat them in last year's semi-finals.
The 22-year-old led all scorers with 29 points to help Geraldton commence its season-defining three-game road-trip with a victory and give its hopes of making the finals for the 22nd time from their 23 years in the SBL a major boost.
The Buccaneers are now just one game outside the top eight after winning their second straight match. If they win the remaining two games of their road-trip, against Rockingham and Perth, they could finish the round in eighth spot.
Defeat was a significant blow to Willetton's hopes of finishing in the top four, with the Tigers' fourth home loss of the season allowing fourth-placed Perry Lakes to open a one-game gap over the fifth-placed defending champions.
But it seemed the Tigers were on course for victory after they fought back from a 15-point deficit midway through the third quarter to take the lead early in the fourth. Willetton still led with three minutes left, but were outscored 11-5 from that point.
Perth Wildcats centre Matthew Knight was Willetton's best performer, finishing with 26 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
Robert Kampman (20 points) and Adam Nener (12 assists) also played well for the Tigers, but it wasn't enough to match Ralph or veteran centre Ben Pepper, who had 26 points and 20 rebounds. Import forward Todd Brown also added 25 points for the visitors.
The Tigers will be trying to get their title defence back on track with victories against heated rivals Perth and finals contenders Stirling next week.
Article by Jacob Kagi at Willetton Basketball Stadium
Photo by Mick Cronin
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