The Australian Central East Perth Eagles have stormed into the next round of the playoffs with a 75 - 60 game three win over the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.

East Perth recovered from losing game one of the best-of-three quarter-final series to advance to face second seed Perry Lakes in the semi-finals.

Kate Fielding picked up where she left off in game two and scored the first five points in an Eagles 9 – 3 run to open the game. The Suns retaliated with some fierce defence and a six point run to tie the game up at 11 all. The remainder of the quarter saw the teams go basket for basket with Rachel Mueggenborg hitting a three point field goal with 20 seconds left to give the Suns a one point lead going into the first break 18 – 17.

Melissa Moyle opened the scoring for the second half to give the Suns a three point lead only to have Fielding hit a three point basket to tie it up at 20 all two minutes into the quarter. The Suns stepped up their defensive intensity and managed to keep a four point buffer for most of the quarter and had increased that lead to six with two and a half minutes to play. The Eagles Samantha Norwood and Fielding then put together a scoring run to see the Eagles have a one point lead with 35 seconds to go. The Suns Leah Rush stepped up with a three point play to give the Suns a two point lead before Norwood scored with two seconds to go to draw the game at 35 apiece going into the half time break.

The Suns were led into the break by Mueggenborg who had eight points and Rush who had seven.

Fielding was the best for the Eagles with 13 points and four rebounds with Norwood tallying 12 points and four rebounds of her own.

The third quarter saw Dannielle Devenny break the dead lock with the opening two points of the quarter for the Eagles. Both teams traded baskets with Devenny and Fielding doing the bulk of the scoring for the Eagles while Moyle stepped up for the Suns and helped keep them in the game. Lizel Buckley tied the game for the Suns at 47 all with four minutes to go on a tough drive but from there the Eagles took control. Norwood was instrumental as the Eagles outscored the Suns 11 – 3 in the last four minutes and when Melissa Winfield hit a midrange jump shot on the buzzer the Eagles went into the last break leading 58 – 50.

Norwood scored the opening points of the quarter to give the Eagles a 10 point advantage. The Suns attacked the Eagles but could not reel them in, with the Eagles holding a 10 point buffer for a majority of the quarter until they pulled away in the last two minutes to record a 15 point victory. The victory marks the first time in club history the team has progressed to the second round of the finals.

Norwood was inspirational for the Eagles scoring 28 points and hauling in 12 rebounds while Fielding backed up her fantastic game two, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Mueggenborg was the best for the Suns scoring 16 points off the bench while Moyle finished with 16 points.

Article by Leigh Dalton at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)

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