Stirling too hot for Suns in crucial win (Saturday Night Wrap)
Stirling Senators have all but guaranteed a place in the men's State Basketball League finals after coming from behind to beat fellow playoff contender Kalamunda Eastern Suns 107-101.
The Senators' 13th win of the year should ensure they make the top eight for the first time since 2007, while Kalamunda needs to win at least two of its last three games and hope other results go its way to make the finals.
Import Lee Roberts (39 points) was the key player for Stirling in its fourth win from five games, while Dean Hadley had 29 points but couldn't stop the Suns from blowing a 12-point lead.
Top four side Cockburn Cougars ended their three-game winless streak with a comfortable 96-81 road victory against Goldfields Giants.
Stanley Ocitti (33 points) helped the Cougars hand Goldfields its eighth loss from a past 10 games and put a huge dent in its finals hopes.
And Perth Redbacks took advantage of the Giants' defeat to virtually wrap up their place in the playoffs with their 109-94 victory against Perry Lakes Hawks.
The Redbacks trailed for much of the match but came back through Adrian Majstrovich (28 points) to stun their top four opponents and record their vital 13th win.
Minor premiers Lakeside Lightning extended their extraordinary winning streak to 14 games with a 113-90 result against Geraldton Buccaneers.
Elsewhere, defending champions Willetton struggled but eventually overcame Rockingham 74-64 and Wanneroo Wolves beat the winless Southwest Slammers 112-75.
In women's action, Perth's finals hopes are all but over after they lost 72-59 to Perry Lakes, which was the Redbacks' eighth defeat from their past 10 games.
In other games, Kalamunda maintained its impressive form with a 94-64 thrashing of the Senators, league leaders Willetton thrashed the Flames 91-41 and Wanneroo beat the Slammers 99-54.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Marg Prior
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