Lakeside's streak continues into quarter-finals
Lakeside Lightning have recorded their 17th-straight victory with a 110 – 91 win over the Australian Central East Perth Eagles in the first game of their quarter-finals series.
The comfortable victory, which resulted largely because of Lightning star Ben Beran's 52 points, put the minor premiers ahead in the best-of-three matchup, which returns to Lakeside Recreation Centre next weekend for game two and, if necessary, game three.
The Eagles came out of the blocks with a flurry and opened up a quick six point lead but Lakeside stuck back and stretched their advantage to ten point’s midway through the quarter. Beran was up and about early and led all scorers with 22 points in the first quarter to help his side to a ten point lead, 36 – 26 at the first break.
The second quarter saw both teams lift their defensive intensity, points were hard to come by and Lakeside managed to hold onto their ten point buffer for most of the quarter. With four minutes left to play before the half Lakeside found a bit of offensive momentum and strung together a few quick baskets to increase their lead to a handy 16 points and go into the long break leading 59 – 43.
The Eagles managed to clamp down on Beran in the second quarter but he still led all scorers at the half with 26 points. For the Eagles, Wildcat Drew Williamson and Boomer Tom Jervis were leading the way with 12 apiece.
The second half saw the Eagles come out with a burst of energy, and led by point guard Daniel Thomas opened the half with a 10 point to four run to close the gap and give the Eagles a glimmer of hope. Lakeside had other ideas and increased their intensity to grind out a 21 point lead at the last break 87 – 66.
The fourth quarter saw both teams trading baskets, with Lakeside taking advantage of the lopsided foul count to convert on 24 of their 33 free throw opportunities of the game. The Eagles battled bravely but could not reel in Lakeside, who ran out 19 point winners.
Beran made seven of his 13 three-point attempts on his way to 52 points while Jarrad Prue showed why he is one of the league’s leading rebounders by collecting 19 boards.
For the Eagles, Thomas lead his teams’ scorers with a spirited and hard fought 20 points to go with his 10 rebounds and Jervis once again proved why he is the gold standard for big men in the league with 19 points and 17 rebounds.
Article by Leigh Dalton at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre
Photo by Mick Cronin
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