Troubled Tigers struck by Lightning (Finals Week One WSBL Wrap)
Two-time defending women's State Basketball League champions Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers are on the verge of elimination from the finals after a shock loss to Lakeside Lightning.
Willetton lost 81-74 to the Lightning in game one of the best-of-three quarter-finals series and must win both games next weekend to advance to the final four.
Including the regular season, the Tigers have lost three-straight games after securing the minor premiership by winning 18 of their first 21 this season.
Heidi McNeill starred for eighth-seeded Lightning with 21 points, while Jess Van Schie added 14 points and Courtney Bayliss scored 13.
Melissa Marsh and Jasmine Hooper each had 18 points for Willetton.
Kalamunda Eastern Suns also caused a significant upset by beating third seed Australian Central East Perth Eagles 69-61.
The Eagles won their last nine games of the regular season but were stunned by the sixth-placed Suns, who never trailed in the match.
Leah Rush helped lead Kalamunda to victory with 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Samantha Norwood continued her excellent form for the Eagles with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves took the advantage in its series with Mandurah Magic after holding off a late comeback to win game one 68-61.
Fifth-placed Wanneroo trailed late in the first half but dominated the third quarter and were up by 19 points just before three-quarter-time.
But the Magic came back to take the lead with only two minutes left, only for the Wolves to finish the game on a 9-0 run to take the thrilling victory.
Rebecca Mercer top-scored for Wanneroo with 20 points, while Hailey Dunham also had 20 for Mandurah, which must win both games at home next weekend.
In-form second seed Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks will be heavy favourites to advance to the semi-finals after beating Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars.
The Hawks won 17 of their final 20 games of the regular season and continued their impressive form with the 72-59 victory.
Christine Boyd led Perry Lakes with 17 points, while Emma Pass had 23 points for the Cougars, who have won just one of their past seven games.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)
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