Women's defending champions the South West Slammers scored a crucial SBL win on Friday night as did last year's runner's-up Rockingham while the Lakeside Lightning extended their lead atop the men's standings.

The Rockingham Flames men's side beat the Perth Redbacks 99-81 at Mike Barnett Sports Complex to see the Flames win their fourth straight match to improve to an 8-12 record in 11th spot.

Cooper Land starred for the Flames with 29 points, 11 rebounds and six steals with Steven Bennett adding a triple-double with 25 points, 13 boards and 11 assists. Trent Gerovich also had 19 points and Travis Moore 12 to go with 10 rebounds.

Bennie Lewis had 25 points and eight rebounds for the Redbacks despite shooting just 1-of-8 from long range with Michael Vigor adding 15 points and 11 boards, Justin Brown 14 and 11, and Joel Wagner 12 and seven assists.

The South West Slammers beat the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 113-104 at Eaton Recreation Centre to move up to ninth spot at 10-10.

Jamahr Warren led the way for the Slammers with 31 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Clive Weeden also had 26 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots with Wade Hitchcock adding 19 points and Ty Harrelson 15 points, 11 boards and eight assists.

Ben Smith had a big game for the Suns in the absence of Luke Nevill finishing with 33 points. Louis Timms added 22 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three assists with Kerron Horn scoring 13 points and Joel Questel 12.

The Lakeside Lightning maintained their hold on top spot on the men's ladder with a 107-88 win over the East Perth Eagles at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.

Ben Beran led the way for the Lightning with 25 points and eight rebounds with Jesse Dixon scoring 21 points, Brad Jackson 18, Darrel Morgan 18 and Justin Cecil 13. Jarrad Prue had five points and 17 rebounds.

Tom Jervis had 32 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots for the Eagles with Drew Williamson scoring 21 points, Jarrod Balcombe 14 and Michael Jones 12.

In women's action, the South West Slammers downed the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 78-60 to see the defending champions improve to an 8-9 record and up into eighth position in the standings.

Lauren Jeffers hit 16 points for the Slammers with Zoe Harper adding in 13 points and 17 rebounds. Kara Hargreaves also scored 15 points to go with six rebounds and three assists with Kimberly Sitzmann adding 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Jennie Rintala top-scored for the Suns with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Racehl Muenggenborg added 12 points and 11 rebounds for Kalamunda.

Last year's grand finalists Rockingham beat the Perth Redbacks 70-60 to move back into second position on the table.

Kaye Tucker hit 19 points and pulled in 10 rebounds and picked up five steals while dishing out three assists and blocking two shots for the Flames. Samantha Whitcomb also had 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals with Cortney Hargreaves adding 11 points, six boards and four assists.

Marita Payne had a huge game for the Redbacks with 19 points, 19 rebounds and four assists with Gabby O'Sullivan adding 12 points and five assists.

The Lakeside Lightning also shot up to fifth spot on the women's SBL ladder with their fifth straight win by beating the East Perth Eagles 66-57 on Friday.

Krystal Stoneking had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Lightning with Courtney Byrnes adding 12 points and Jessica Beran 11.

Nicole Jorre St Jorre had 25 points for the Eagles with Denielle Lipscombe adding 11 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)