Senators extinguish Rockingham's Flame
The ATD Stirling Senators have cemented a place inside the top eight with a hard fought 106-97 win against the Rockingham Flames at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.
An all around outstanding shooting display from Michael Jones, and a dominant inside performance from Geordie Cullen proved too much for the Flames to handle as they slumped to their ninth loss from 10 games in a major blow to their finals hopes.
Jones scored 27 points which including five three pointers. He completed the double -double by grabbing ten rebounds for the Senators, who climbed to seventh spot. Cullen finished with 23 points.
Despite early foul trouble for Cullen, Stirling’s bench provided solid backup. Rockingham’s Jerel Allen had a fantastic first quarter with 10 points as the Flames took a two point lead into quarter time.
Stirling’s defensive effort stepped up a notch in the second with their half court pressure causing numerous turnovers against Rockingham’s ball handlers. This resulted in the lead for Stirling blowing out to as many as 16.
Cullen provided a highlight with a huge tomahawk jam after a fast break, but not to be outdone, Lee Roberts finished off an alley-oop with a reverse jam the very next possession.
Allen’ s great shooting continued for Rockingham in the first half as he finished with 21, and rounded off the half with two 3pt baskets, including one at the buzzer that brought Stirling’s lead back to four at the main break.
Rockingham took the lead early in the second half behind Allen, and this was helped by Roberts committing his fourth foul early in the quarter for Stirling.
Stirling maintained a narrow one point lead at the last change, but they were dealt a blow as Roberts fouled out with nine minutes remaining. But that didn’t stop Jones, as he continued his great shooting form, and Stirling’s defensive pressure caused more pain for Rockingham’s ball carriers.
“It was what we expected from Rockingham, we knew they would come out fired up,” Stirling coach Don Jamieson said.
“It was a close game when we played them previously so we knew if they kept us under enough pressure they could possibly steal the win.
“We lost our mental focus during the course of the game, it has been something we have been working on, and hopefully that was another lesson for us."
Earlier in the night, the Western Stainless Stirling Senators recorded their fourth win of the season defeating Rockingham 65-63.
Michelle Joy lead the Senators with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Rachel Watman controlled the game with 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
Rockingham’s Jacinta Bourne led all scorers with 22 points and she added 14 rebounds to her tally. Talisia Bourne was next best for Rockingham with 18 points.
Article by Nathan Winch at Mike Barnett Sports Complex
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)
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