Geraldton bounce back against Flames
The Buccs fell from top spot on the ladder after a narrow four-point loss to defending champions Lakeside Lighting on Saturday.
The Buccs escaped with a thrilling victory yesterday.
A Demetrius Hazel three pointer cut the margin to one-point with one minute thirty remaining after Brian Connolly put the Buccs ahead by fifteen with six minutes left on the clock.
Aaron Ralph was able to put Flames out as he sunk his fourth three-pointer with thirty seconds on the clock.
Ryan Zamroz top scored for the visitors with 35 points while Ralph and Ben Pepper both added sixteen.
Rhett Della Maddalena and Carlin Hughes did most the damage for Rockingham as they scored 24 and 20 respectively.
Lakeside’s shut-down tactics on Buccs import Zamroz worked to great effect as the home side snared a 98-94 at Lakeside Recreation Centre on Saturday.
The American was restricted to an off-colour 13 points, thanks largely to the combined muscle of Lakeside’s Sofoulis duo Ryan and Christopher.
Buccs’ top scorer Daniel Thomas (18 points) missed the majority of the first term with an eye injury.
Ray Evans’ men trailed by a point at quarter-time and two points at the main break.
The defending champions then went on to outscore the visitors by 29-23 in the third quarter.
Lakeside let slip an eight-point lead and the Buccs fought their way back into the game in the final quarter.
A double free throw by Zamroz, saw the Buccs turn the tables and gain a three-point lead with just over three minutes remaining on the clock.
The lead was short-lived. Christopher Sofoulis converted from outside the arc and Lakeside recaptured ascendancy again and hung on to take the victory.
Buccs’ tormentor Luke Payne was again the chief destroyer for Lakeside, with 26-points and five assists. Lakeside big man Jarrad Prue dominated the boards with 22 points.
Ralph took 14 points and eight rebounds for the Buccs. Buccs’ tall Pepper snatched 11 off the boards and racked up 13 points.
Article by Taylor Courtland (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Geraldton Guardian
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