Suns shine too bright for Eagles
The Kalamunda Eastern Suns, spurred on by a rowdy parochial crowd, have dealt the Australian Central East Perth Eagles a surprise blow by taking out game one of their finals series 69 – 61.
Import Leah Rush had 23 points to help the sixth-seeded Suns end East Perth's impressive form and take the advantage in the best-of-three quarter-finals match-up.
The Suns came out of the blocks fast and started the game with an eight point to two run. They controlled the tempo for much of the quarter with the Suns Sarah-Jane Knox proving to be the difference by pulling down seven rebounds for the quarter to help her side take a handy 23 – 15 point lead into the first break.
The second quarter saw the Eagles show why they finished the regular season third on the ladder as they stepped up their game, and through the tough work of Samantha Norwood had the game tied at 30 apiece with three and a half minutes to play. The Suns managed to find another gear though and went on a 13 point to five run to end the quarter leading 43 – 35.
The Suns were led into the break by Rush who had 15 points and Knox, who had hauled in 10 rebounds to go with her six points. For the Eagles, Norwood was leading the way with 15 points and Kate Fielding had worked tirelessly for her five points and five rebounds.
The third quarter saw the tenacious Eagles score the first five points and close the gap to three but the Suns would not loosen their iron grip on the lead and fought back to regain their half time lead and take a 55 – 48 lead into the last break.
East Perth came out and attacked the Suns to start the fourth quarter and again reduced the lead to three points. The Eagles extended their defence and looked to have the momentum starting to turn their way, but the Suns, firstly with Chelsea Armstrong and then Lizel Buckley both hitting three pointers helped their side keep control and get away with the win.
Melissa Moyle provided the strongest support to Rush for Kalamunda with 12 points, while Armstrong finished with 10.
For the Eagles, Norwood was a shining light, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds, Melissa Winfield had 10 points and Fielding finished with eight.
Article by Leigh Dalton at Ray Owen Sports Centre
Photo by Mick Cronin
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