Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks have put a significant dent in Kalamunda Eastern Suns' men's State Basketball League finals hopes after winning their Friday night clash 104-83.

The Suns will now have to overcome a tough schedule - which sees them face Lakeside, Mandurah, Stirling, East Perth, Cockburn and Geraldton - and win at least three of their remaining games over their final month of the season after the Hawks cruised to victory at the WA Basketball Centre.

But there are no such problems for the fourth-placed Hawks, who established a two-game gap over fifth-seeded Willetton with their 13th victory of the season and should hold on to ensure home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

Import Anthony Lee had an outstanding game for the hosts, finishing with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Ben Purser (16 points, seven rebounds and eight assists) also had a solid game. Australian Boomers swingman Peter Crawford had 11 points in his first SBL game for the year.

Joel Questel top-scored for the Suns with 14 points as usual suspects Justin Brown (10 points) and Dean Hadley (six) were kept quiet.

Despite the dominant final score, the Hawks looked lethargic early and trailed late in the first quarter.

But Perry Lakes took control of the game in the second, where they outscored Kalamunda 33-17 to lead by 18 at half-time.

The Hawks continued to dictate after the break and extended their advantage to 29 late in the final quarter, before showing some late fight to make the score more respectable.

Perry Lakes coach Dion Dagostino said his side should have won by more, but it was still a good victory.

"I think we always had it, we were just being a bit lazy early in the game. But we hit a couple of shots and lifted our defence and that paid off," he said.

"We're going to be alright. The two doubleheaders in the next two weeks are really going to lay it down and see how we are doing. They'll be real tests, but we're happy with where we're at."

Earlier, Kalamunda's women caused a huge shock with a 84-76 win against the second-placed Hawks.

Perry Lakes had won seven-straight to move within one game of league leaders Willetton, but Suns import Leah Rush (26 points and 15 rebounds) sparked a major upset, which all but ensured the Suns would make the finals.

The Suns led for the majority of the first half and went to half-time up by four, before doubling that lead early in the third.

Perry Lakes fought back to take the lead with five minutes left in the match, but the Suns outscored them 15-6 from there to hold on for the stunning win.

Gabby Clayton top-scored for the Hawks with 15 points.

Article by Jacob Kagi at the WA Basketball Centre
Photo by Travis Hayto (Outerbounds Photography)

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