Lakeside Lightning are on top of the men's State Basketball League ladder after recording a 91-82 home victory over previous leaders Cockburn Cougars on Friday.

The Lightning's fourth straight win saw them improve to a 7-1 record, ahead of the second placed Cougars, who moved to a 7-2 mark after their second loss from three outings.

Cockburn trailed for the majority of the match but fought back to tie the scores late in the third quarter, before a 7-0 Lightning run early in the fourth secured victory against their southern suburbs rivals.

Luke Payne led Lakeside with 32 point, while Ryan Sofoulis (18 points) and Jarrad Prue (21 rebounds) also impressed in the continued absence of star import Ben Beran.

Cockburn imports Ty Harrelson and Stanley Ocitti had 20 and 17 points respectively but lacked support.

Lakeside coach Andy Stewart said he was pleased with the way the likes of Simon Lokan (13 points and 10 rebounds) since Beran went down.

"I'm very happy with that result. It's been hard work without Beran playing at the moment and there are some challenges for us, but the young guys are coming through," he said.

Stewart said Beran was likely several weeks away from returning.

"His recovery is going well, he's back to a jogging stage and he's getting some shots up. But it's a back injury and we don't want to do the wrong thing by it and lose him for another six weeks," he said.

Cockburn coach Stephen Charlton said his side lacked intensity and were lucky to stay as close as they did through most of the match.

"This was our chance to come into what I've considered to be the best club in the league over the last 10 years and really stamp our mark on the rest of the league and it's disappointing we couldn't do that," he said.

"I don't know if it's a reality check as such, but it definitely gives us something to go back and work on."

In women's action, Lakeside's resurgence continued with a 74-62 win against Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars.

The Lightning have won two straight since dropping their first five games and could move to within percentage of eighth spot on Saturday if they beat Rockingham and other results go their way.

Cockburn fought back from a 13-point three-quarter-time deficit to cut the margin to four with five minutes left, but Lakeside held off the spirited comeback.

Youngsters Courtney Byrnes and Courtney Bayliss had 20 and 18 points respectively to top-score for Lakeside, while import Heidi McNeill added 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Emma Pass top-scored for the Cougars with 18 points, but it wasn't enough for her side to claim consecutive victories for the first time this season.

Article by Jacob Kagi at Lakeside Recreation Centre
Photo by Grant Lauterbach

Follow the SBL on Facebook