Southlands Willetton Tigers are just one win away from the semi-finals after beating Lakeside Lightning 64-62 in game one of the women’s State Basketball League quarter-finals.

The Tigers have two chances to get the clinching win in the best-of-three series next weekend at home, where it was 10-1 during the regular season.

The winner of the series will play the winner of the East Perth and Perry Lakes series in the semis.

Willetton appeared to have the game under control when it led by eight points with three minutes left, but Lakeside stormed back to cut the top side’s lead to three points one minute later.

The margin stayed at three until the 21 second mark, when guard Kate Malpass hit one of two free-throws to ensure the road victory for the Tigers.

Lakeside had two possessions in that time where it had the chance to tie the score, but turned one of them over and missed a three-point shot on the other.

Malpass top-scored for Willetton with 16 and centre Zoe Harper added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

For the Lightning, import Heidi McNeill had a game-high 18 points while Courtney Byrnes had 13 points and three steals.

Shooting proved the big difference in the match, with Lakeside shooting a respectable 39 per cent from the field, but the Tigers did even better, finishing at 47 per cent.

Willetton coach Glenn Clarke said he was relieved to get the win after his side was hit by the flu before the game.

“Lakeside are pretty tough at home. We lost to them here in the middle of the season and knew they weren’t going to go away so we’re very happy to beat them at home,” he said.

“We have a lot of girls who have the flu and we had a few injuries. Brittany Morgan didn’t even suit up because of the flu. With her out and a couple of injuries, it’s pleasing to get the win.

“Going back to our home court, we’re very confident now.”

Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots/Courtside Media)

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