Lakeside brush aside Perth, Cockburn (Round 15 WSBL Wrap)

Lakeside Lightning gave their women's State Basketball League finals hope a major boost with a pair of crucial wins in round 15.

The Lightning enter the final month of the regular season in a finals spot after beating Perth Redbacks 63-56 on Friday, which saw them climb to eighth place.

And it got worse on Saturday for the Redbacks, who became just the second team this season to lose to Southwest Slammers, falling 65-63, while Lakeside stunned local rivals Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars 70-60 to finish the round one game clear of Perth.

Narelle Henry (12 points) did her best to help the Redbacks cover the absence of star centre Marita Payne against Lakeside, but it wasn't enough as import Heidi McNeill (21 points and 12 rebounds) led the Lightning to victory.

And Perth's losing streak was extended to four games as Shannon McRobert (17 points) helped the Slammers stun last year's semi-finalists and earn just their second win of the year.

Lakeside's win against Cockburn was its third-straight victory and was just the second time the sixth-placed Cougars have lost at home all season. Emily Fielding (21 points) starred for the Lightning.

Cockburn also lost 88-74 to Australian Central East Perth Eagles, who moved into fifth spot after Samantha Norwood and Kate Fielding excelled in their victory with 30 and 27 points respectively.

The Eagles wrapped up an impressive weekend with a shock 58-53 win against third-placed Mandurah Magic, who have lost two-straight.

Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers held off a late fight-back to beat fellow top four side Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves 70-66.

Kate Malpass had 22 points to get the league leaders back into form, following their shock loss to Lakeside last week, and end Wanneroo's six-game winning run.

But Willetton's Friday game against Kalamunda Eastern Suns had to be postponed after rainwater got on the court, resulting in unsafe playing conditions.

Rockingham Flames remained on the bottom of the ladder after losing 75-35 to Wanneroo, who were led by Rebecca Mercer (19 points).

And Western Stainless Stirling Senators' finals chances were dealt another blow with a 69-60 loss to second-placed Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks, who have won seven straight games.

Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Grant Lauterbach

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