Tigers keep pressure on leaders
Willetton remains just one win behind Geraldton with a game in hand, while East Perth fell out of the top eight with its fifth loss in six games.
East Perth regained its top eight spot the previous night with a win over Wanneroo, but is one game behind Wanneroo and Perry Lakes with six remaining.
Willetton led by just three late in the second quarter but extended that to 14 at half-time with a 20-9 run to finish the quarter, putting the game out of East Perth’s reach when that was extended to 19 early in the third.
Daniel Johnson was Willetton’s best with 32 points and seven rebounds while Alex Prince (28 points) had one of his better games this season.
Centre Sam Harris had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Eagles and Jarrod Balcombe added 22 points.
East Perth were missing Perth Wildcats star Steven Weigh, who left immediately after Friday’s game to take part in an Australian Boomers training camp in Canberra, while his Wildcats and Eagles Damian Martin would have also been at that camp but missed out with injury.
Eagles coach Damien Chalk was also absent after seriously injuring his leg and requiring hospital treatment playing in the final seconds of the Wanneroo match, with assistant coach Matt Parsons in charge for the game.
Willetton has won four straight and improved to 10-1 at home this season, the best home record in the league.
In the women’s game, Willetton moved one win clear in top spot with a 81-70 win over East Perth.
The Tigers moved one win ahead of second placed Rockingham, having played an extra game, while East Perth fell to three losses behind the top two in third spot.
Willetton jumped out to a 20-5 lead in the first quarter but East Perth fought back and tied the score midway through the third quarter.
The Tigers responded with an 11-2 run from that point to re-establish a comfortable lead and controlling the final quarter to hold on.
Melissa Marsh led Willetton with 25 points and seven rebounds while Ashley Gilmore top-scored for the Eagles with 27 points.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Mick Cronin
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