Tigers squeeze past Stirling
In one of the games of the season, an overtime thriller saw the Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers hold of a determined Stirling Senators outfit 124-117 on Saturday night.
In a game that had numerous lead changes down the stretch it was the shooting performance of Robert Kampman that proved to be the difference.
Kampman finished the game with 42 points. He also had six three pointers and a perfect ten from ten at the free throw line, including some key shots late in the game.
The game was of frenetic pace right from the outset, with Stirling's Lee Roberts very active early. Willetton's ball movement resulted in numerous wide open shots, and a 11 point lead at the main break.
Although Willetton's Matt Knight struggled with his shot early, Kampman steadied the ship to lead all scorers with 21 points at the half.
Stirling's Austin Bruton started the second half with 11 straight points for the Senators, who seemed to claw the lead back each time it appeared the Tigers could run away with the game.
Roberts had an outstanding third quarter for the Senators, and he set the tone for an exciting last period with a buzzer beating three point shot from near mid court, which cut the Tigers lead down to two.
The Senators took the lead early in the last quarter only to see Knight gather his shooting touch and reclaim the lead back for Willetton. The lead would change back and forth as Kampman and Michael Jones traded three point shots.
Some key plays on both offense and defense from Adam Nener kept Willetton in front for the most part of the quarter. Both teams traded free throws in the final 20 seconds as Willetton took a three point lead with under 15 seconds to go in regulation.
With Stirling having no timeouts remaining and looking for the game tying basket, it was Jones who delivered as he launched a huge three in the face of a defender to tie the game with 2.3 seconds remaining.
Kampman continued his great shooting into overtime, and with Roberts fouling out early for the Senators, the game seemed to run away from them as Willetton pulled ahead for the seven point win.
Roberts finished with 34 points and 20 rebounds for Stirling, with Jones the next best with 32 points. Matt Knight finished with 30 points and 14 rebounds for the Tigers.
"We knew we had to get two wins this weekend as we are playing a lot of the top teams from now on", Willetton coach Shayne Hampel said post game.
"The Redbacks game last night was a start and tonight was good."
Willetton travel to Lakeside next week to meet the top of table Lightning. The Senators will face off against the Cockburn Cougars.
Earlier in the night, WSBL action saw the Southlands Boulevards Willetton Tigers hold off the Stirling Senators 74-60.
Despite shooting only 2 of 24 from beyond the arc, it was the Tigers dominance inside the paint that kept in them in front. They outscored the Senators 48-18 inside the paint as Zoe Harper lead the Tigers with 18 points.
Michelle Joy lead all scorers for Stirling with 19 points.
Article by Nathan Winch at Willetton Basketball Stadium
Photo by Ashley Pearce (Vision Inspired Photography)
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