Lightning outlast Stirling revival

Lakeside Lightning celebrated Chris Sofoulis’ 100th men's State Basketball League game in style with a hard-fought 109-101 win over ATD Stirling Senators at Lakeside Recreation Centre on Thursday Night.

The Lightning held off a final quarter fight back from the Senators to post their sixth win of the season and climb to top spot, ahead of Cockburn on percentage.

Lakeside import Luke Payne continued his red-hot form with 34 points and six assists, with Ryan Sofoulis (25 points), Steven Butler (15) and Brad Jackson (10) all reaching double figures. The 198cm Jarrad Prue was also important with 27 rebounds.

Big man Lee Roberts recorded a triple-double (33 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists), Michael Jones a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds), and Austin Burton chipped in with 22 points for the gallant Senators.

Roberts was on fire early with 16 of Stirling’s 22 first quarter points to get his side within four points at the first change.

Payne, fresh from his 38 point performance in Kalgoorlie last week, was lethal from long range, sinking 6/9 first half three-pointers for 32-25 lead midway through the second term.

A 13-0 run late in the half gave the home side a handy 18-point buffer.

The Senators fought back hard in the third quarter with the opening nine points to reduce to deficit to single digits.

Lakeside blew the margin out to 15-points by the final break thanks to big efforts from Steven Butler and Brad Jackson.

Stirling showed glimpses of the form that beat defending champions Willetton earlier in the month, with a late surge getting them within four points with just two minutes remaining.

But a Jarrad Prue layup followed by a sensational steal from Ryan Sofoulis settled the Lightning. The latter sealed the win eight-point win in the final minute with a two-pointer to continue his sensational evening.

Lakeside's women chalked up their first win of the season, defeating the Western Stainless Stirling Senators 62-48.

Heidi McNeil (24 points and 12 rebounds) and Emily Fielding (18 and 10) both recorded double-doubles for the Lightning.

West Coast Waves squad member Michelle Joy was the shining light for Stirling with 14 points and seven rebounds.

The win was set up by a dominant second quarter from the Lighting as they outscored their opponents 17-7 to open up at 10-point half-time lead.

Stirling fought their way back in the third term to peg to margin back to just six points at the final change.

That’s about as close as the visitors got as the Lightning held on for a 14-point victory.

Article by Jordan Mcardle at Lakeside Recreation Centre
Photo by Grant Lauterbach

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