Ugly Cougars get past Rockingham
It certainly wasn't their prettiest performance of the season, but Cockburn Cougars still did enough to comfortably beat Rockingham Flames in their men's State Basketball League clash on Friday.
Cockburn won the first game of the season at Mike Barnett Sports Complex 79-52, which maintained the pressure on top side Lakeside and was enough to ensure it will finish round 10 in the top two.
And the result was another blow to the Flames' finals hopes as they fell to a 5-9 record with their eighth loss from nine games, despite the return to their home court after scoreboard issues forced them to move their first six home games to other venues.
Cockburn's victory was never in doubt after they jumped out to a 32-11 quarter-time lead on the back of Grant Davey's 17 points in the opening period. Davey made all six field goal attempts, including all five shots from long range, and had two steals and two assists in the quarter.
Davey finished with a game-high 26 points, while Ty Harrelson (13 points) was also solid. Centre Kent Tribbett had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Flames.
The visitors were far less impressive after quarter-time, scoring just 27 points for the next two periods as they struggled with Rockingham's full-court pressure.
But the Flames were held to just 20 points in the second half to ensure Cockburn notched its 11th win of the season. Cougars coach Stephen Charlton said his side's performance was far from impressive.
"That must have been horrible to watch," he said.
"If you're going to have an ugly game, the night you hold a team to 52 points is the night to do it on. We weren't all that smooth offensively, but we kept playing defence and that was enough.
"We came out and shot so well in the first quarter but in the second quarter Rockingham lifted their intensity and we went cold."
Cockburn's women also notched up a comfortable victory, beating the Flames 88-47.
The Cougars dominated the opening quarter to jump out to a 22-8 quarter-time lead and were never challenged from there as they went on to claim their third win from four outings.
Kara Hargreaves was outstanding for the Cougars with 24 points, while Jacinta Bourne top-scored for Rockingham with 22.
The result saw seventh placed Cockburn consolidate its spot in the top eight, while the Flames remain bottom with just one win for the season.
Article by Jacob Kagi at Mike Barnett Sports Complex
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)
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