The Lakeside Lightning has tonight ended the Dominos Geraldton Buccaneers dream of making their first SBL Grand Final since 2000, with a 91-87 win in front of a packed Lakeside Recreation Centre.

In a see-sawing affair that saw the lead change 19 times, it was the Lightning who got out to a quick 12-7 lead when Luke Payne connected on his first three of the night. However the Buccs then opened up a four point lead when Matt Wundenberg connected on two free throws. It was the home side who would go into the first break with a 26-25 lead thanks to Jason Faulkner.

The home side controlled the second period, holding the lead for the full twelve minutes. The game remained close with the Lightning not getting more than a seven point lead. At the major break the home side was up by four points 46-42. Geraldton legend Greg Brown kept the visitors in touch with three triples for the period.

The Buccs hit the lead again thanks to a Michael Le Blanc free throw at the 8:21 mark. The biggest lead the Buccs opened was five points when Greg Brown converted a three point play. The Buccs looked like they would head into the last break with a lead when Daniel Thomas put them up by a point with 9 seconds to go. However a Jarrad Prue shot at the buzzer saw the home side take a one point lead.

The visitors, determined to go to a third game, opened up a seven point lead in the last quarter with a Michael Le Blanc three with 7:25 remaining. The Buccs maintained their lead until US sharp shooter Luke Payne converted a three with 1:25 left to put the home side up by three. Luke Meyer turned the ball over and the Lightning’s Ryan Sofoulis converted a three point play to put the home side up by six.

The two Geraldton imports combined for five points in the last 34 seconds to cut the lead to two points. Luke Payne however converted two free throws to put the home side up by four with 18 seconds remaining. Meyer missed the last shot of the game for the Buccs, sending the Lightning fans into a frenzy.

Jarrad Prue again ensured the Lightning won the battle of the boards with 17 rebounds. The Lightning won the crucial rebound count 51-42.

The Lightning are now booked into their first Grand Final since 2007. This will be the Lightning’s fourth appearance in the "big dance" since 2005. They last faced their opponents, Perry Lakes in 2005 where they broke the Hawks three year streak to claim their first SBL Championship with a 97-88 win.

Lakeside Lightning 91 (L Payne 25; J Faulkner 24; R Sofoulis 21) def.
Geraldton Buccaneers 87 (L Meyer; M Le Blanc 19; D Thomas 17; G Brown 15).
@ Lakeside Recreation Centre. Crowd approx 550.

Picture by Marg Prior