An improved shooting performance and domination on the boards helped the Geraldton Buccaneers notch up win number four of the season on Saturday night.

The 97-87 victory at Activewest Stadium over the Stirling Senators was also assisted by the debut of second American import Carter Cook, who immediately became a crowd favourite.

Cook entered the game off the bench half-way through the first quarter.

When he connected on his first jump shot of his Buccaneers career, Geraldton lead 14-11.

The home team opened a six-point lead in the quarter, but found themselves trailing by two points at the first change.

Stirling connected on two three pointers early in the second term to lead 33-28, their biggest lead of the match.

Geraldton rallied and tied the game soon after and then finished the half with a 21-11 run to lead by 10 at the main break.

For the entire second half, Stirling struggled to bridge the gap and reduce the margin to single figures.

The Buccs led by 11 at the final change and when Luke Wrensted connected on a break away lay-up the home team extended the lead to 87-73.

Stirling never troubled the home side late in the game.

Robert Kampman top scored for the Buccs with 22 points while Cook and Daniel Thomas both scored 21.

Aaron Ralph and Mark Heron also contributed with 14 rebounds each.

Buccaneers coach Ray Evans said his side took a while to adjust to Stirling’s game style.

“It took us a while to adjust to their on-ball screens and how we wanted to guard that,” he said.

“I thought our defence really cranked up late in the first half and carried on in the second.

“Now that Carter is here we have all the pieces together and have to keep working harder and harder.

“Hopefully we can knock off some top teams and build confidence.”

Article by Taylor Courtland
Photo by Mick Cronin