Beran's 52 leads Lakeside past Eagles (Friday Night Wrap)
A dominant individual performance from American forward Ben Beran has seen minor premiers Lakeside Lightning begin the men's State Basketball League finals with a comfortable win against East Perth Eagles.
Beran scored an incredible 52 points to carry Lakeside to a 110-91 victory in game one of the best-of-three series.
The 26-year-old made 19 of his 34 field goal attempts and seven of 13 from three-point range, while he also added seven rebounds and five blocks.
"It was just beautiful," Lakeside coach Andy Stewart said of Beran's performance. "He really stepped up for us tonight and he was simply phenomenal."
The Lightning jumped out to a 10-point lead at quarter-time and after the Eagles cut it to seven late in the second, the visitors took control.
The lead blew out to 23 points in the third quarter and Lakeside cruised home to a comfortable victory, which ended a streak of 11 wins from 14 games for East Perth.
Perth Wildcats guard Drew Williamson was held to 18 points for the Eagles, while Daniel Thomas (20 points and 10 rebounds) was their best performer.
The series returns to Lakeside Recreation Centre next Friday for game two.
In women's action, second seed Perry Lakes Hawks took the advantage in its series against Cockburn Cougars by winning game one 72-59.
But it was far from easy for the Hawks, who trailed for most of the match until midway through the third quarter, where they took control.
Christine Boyd starred for Perry Lakes with 17 points and nine rebounds, while West Coast Waves player Gabriella Clayton added 16 points and nine boards.
Emma Pass played virtually a lone hand for Cockburn with 23 points and 10 rebounds, with Nicole Johnson (14 points) the only other Cougars player to reach double figures in scoring.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Mick Cronin
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