Slammers slip to eighth after loss - Bunbury Herald
Bunbury Herald
The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers’ position in the top eight is under threat after the men slipped to a second consecutive defeat against the Geraldton Buccaneers on Saturday night.
A week after surrendering 17 three pointers to Lakeside Lightning the Slammers again found themselves under siege from beyond the arc, hosts Geraldton hitting 14 triples on its way to a 120 — 100 victory over the South West.
Seven of those three pointers came in the first quarter as turnovers and inaccurate shooting from the Slammers allowed Geraldton to jump out to an early 37 — 18 lead.
The visitors improved in the second term but still had no answer for Geraldton’s outside shooters, the Bucs, led by forward Bennie Lewis, hitting another five triples to claim a 73 — 52 lead at half time.
Lewis, the 2012 NBL slam dunk champion, was unstoppable throughout the night, leading Geraldton with 34 points.
Inaccuracy saw the Slammers’ usually dependable offence dry up in the third quarter, the men hitting just six of 22 shots from the field and one of five three pointers in the face of Geraldton’s physical defence.
Trailing 99 — 67 entering the fourth quarter, the Slammers finally found their range and mounted a comeback of sorts, outscoring the Buccaneers 33 — 21 off the back of a much improved shooting performance.
Unfortunately it was too little too late for the Slammers who slipped to eighth on the State Basketball League ladder with the loss.
Import Todd Hendley led the Slammers with 31 points, including five triples, before fouling out.
Trent Worthington grabbed 12 boards to lead all players in the rebounds column and was well backed up by Jason Smith (eight points, seven rebounds), making his season debut in the absence of veterans Lee Smith and Aaron Edwards.
Clive Weeden also fouled out but was again impressive with ball in hand, hitting 20 points or more for the third time in four games and adding eight boards.
Playing coach Ty Harrelson struggled for accuracy all night but finished with 19 points to go with 13 assists and eight rebounds.
The Slammers will look to return to the winner’s circle when they travel to Rockingham to take on the second-placed Flames in the third of four consecutive road games on Friday night.
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