THE top-three women's SBL teams Rockingham, Lakeside and Joondalup all had winning weekends in Week 12 action which concluded with the Slammers beating the Senators in a late Sunday afternoon thriller.

The Week 12 action was split over three days of the weekend with the Wolves winning both their matches, the Senators splitting their two, the Slammers, Flames, Lightning and Tigers winning their only appearances, and the Cougars, Eastern Suns, Redbacks, Eagles, Magic and Hawks losing their only matches.

The three women's SBL matches on Friday night saw three convincing wins by road teams currently occupying three of the top four spots in the standings at present.

The Stirling Senators beat the Perth Redbacks 74-61 at Belmont Oasis while the Lakeside Lightning downed the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 94-76 at Ray Owen Sports Centre and the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames beat the Perry Lakes Hawks 89-50 at the WA Basketball Centre.

There were just the two women's SBL matches on Saturday night with the Joondalup Wolves beating the Soprano Lady Cougars 80-50 at Wally Hagan Stadium and the Willetton Tigers defeated the Schweigen East Perth Eagles 71-60 at Willetton Basketball Stadium.

And on Sunday, the Joondalup Wolves beat the Mandurah Magic 62-53 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium and the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers won a thriller 77-75 over the Stirling Senators at Eaton Recreation Centre.

The weekend's results see the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames remain unbeaten and clear on top of the standings at 15-0 followed by the Lakeside Lightning (11-3) and Joondalup Wolves (9-4).

The Mandurah Magic are in fourth position on (9-4) followed by the Stirling Senators (8-4), Kalamunda Eastern Suns (6-7), Soprano Lady Cougars (6-7) and Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (5-7).

Outside the top-eight are the Perry Lakes Hawks (4-8), Willetton Tigers (4-9), Schweigen East Perth Eagles (2-12) and Perth Redbacks (0-14).

There were again a host of starring individual performances but none better than Kari Pickens' near triple-double highlighted by 36 points for the Lakeside Lightning on Friday night.

In Friday night's matches, Taylor Wild top-scored for the Senators with 17 points with Amber Land adding 13 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, and Tegan Walker finished with 12 points.

Jess Jakens did all she could for the Redbacks finishing with 26 points and five rebounds with Lori Ashworth contributing 11 points and eight boards.

Kari Pickens had a remarkable night for the Lightning finishing with 36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on the back of 14-of-20 shooting from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point territory.

Courtney Bayliss also scored 16 points for Lakeside with Ashleigh Grant adding 13 points and Jessica Van Schie 12 to go with seven assists and five rebounds.

Adrienne Jones led the way for Kalamunda with 20 points and five rebounds with Alison Schwagmeyer contributing 17 points and seven boards, Jennie Rintala 12 points and Melissa Moyle 10.

Samantha Whitcomb continued her dominant form this season for Rockingham with another 28 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Jacinta Bourne also added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Flames with Kaye Tucker finishing with 18 points and seven boards, and Darcee Garbin 16 points and 14 rebounds.

No Perry Lakes players made it to double-figures in scoring with Kate Anthony the best with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists. Rosie Tobin also had seven points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.

On Saturday night, Shani Amos top-scored for the Wolves with 16 points to go with four rebounds while Alex Kerr added 15 points and eight boards.

Ellyce Ironmonger also did well contributing 14 points and 12 rebounds with Amanda Frontino finishing with 12 points and six boards as well for the Lady Wolfpack.

Emma Pass was the only Cougars player to score in double-figures finishing with 16 points and six rebounds.

Mikayla Pirini led the way for the Tigers with 17 points while Antonia Edmondson added 12 points, Ebony Antonio 11 and Brooke Hiddlestone 11.

Stephanie Jones did all she could for the Eagles finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds while Nicole Jorre St Jorre contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Then on Sunday, Shani Amos again top-scored for the Wolves with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals with Ellyce Ironmonger adding 11 points, 12 boards and three assists.

Casey Mihovilovich did all she could for the Magic with 18 points and six rebounds with Briana Klasztorny adding 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Bianca Donovan had a strong afternoon for the Slammers with 22 points, four rebounds and three assists while nailing 4-of-5 from three-point territory.

Amy Patton also had a good game for South West with 17 points, 16 rebounds and three assists.

Taylor Wild top-scored for the Senators with 21 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.

Tegan Walker added 21 points and nine rebounds for Stirling with Lyndal Gardner scoring 13 points and Amber Land 12 to go with 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots.

FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perth Redbacks 61 lost to Stirling Senators 74
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 76 lost to Lakeside Lightning 94
Perry Lakes Hawks 50 lost to Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 89

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Soprano Lady Cougars 50 lost to Joondalup Wolves 80
Willetton Tigers 71 lost to Schweigen East Perth Eagles 60

SUNDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Joondalup Wolves 62 defeated Mandurah Magic 53
Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 77 defeated Stirling Senators 75

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin