Redbacks suffer a Giant bite (Saturday SBL Wrap)
Perth Redbacks have blown a golden opportunity to secure their place in the men’s State Basketball League’s top four after a fourth quarter fade out saw them lose 99-89 to Goldfield Giants.
The win meant the Giants moved equal with the Redbacks on 10 points, but the Giants have one fewer loss and sit in fourth spot.
Perth took a 12-point lead into the main break and a nine point lead into the final term but was outscored 33-14 in the final period to let the game slip.
Dwayne Radcliffe led the Giants comeback with 25 points, 18 rebounds and six assists while Todd Earle’s (23 points) first half efforts ensured they remained in touch at the main break.
Ryan Neill was the best of the Redbacks with 23 points and former Wildcats development player Joel Wagner contributed 19 points and nine assists in the losing cause.
Earlier in the night, Geraldton Buccaneers moved into the growing mid-table congestion when they defeated East Perth 95-79 to make it four wins from their eight matches.
The Buccs joined five other sides on eight points and climbed to ninth spot with their fourth consecutive win.
Geraldton outscored East Perth in every term but led by just four points with nine minutes remaining in the final period before they ran away with it to complete a 22-12 final quarter and 16-point win.
Veteran centre Ben Pepper again led the way for Geraldton with 34 points and 11 rebounds while imports Michael Lay (19 points) and Todd Brown (18) provided support.
East Perth’s most consistent performer of 2011 Tom Jervis led the Eagles with 25 points and 21 rebounds.
The Eagles poor 39 per cent field goal percentage proved costly as their two-game winning streak was ended.
Article by Ben Cameron
Photo by Travis Anderson (Andmedia/Sports Vision)
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