Cougars pipped again by Wolves

Cockburn Cougars have suffered their second heartbreaking defeat in as many days, falling in a 85-81 thriller to Australian Belt Scrapers Wanneroo Wolves in men's SBL action on Sunday.

The Cougars trailed for the bulk of the match but fought back to take the lead with three minutes left, only for Wanneroo to hold its nerve at the Joondalup Basketball Stadium and earn its second win of round one.

It came less than 24 hours after Cockburn blew a big lead to fall 91-88 at home to the Perth Redbacks, leaving last year's semi-finalists winless from the opening weekend of the season.

New Wolves import Jordan Wild led his side to victory with 28 points and 13 rebounds in a performance which left coach Ben Ettridge highly satisfied.

"Cockburn kept coming and coming and they were well prepared, so I'm really proud of the effort we put in," the Wanneroo coach said.

"In the first weekend, second game of a doubleheader ... to get a tough win as pleasing."

For much of the game it looked like the defending champions would win the rematch of last year's semi finals much more easily though, as they took a double figure lead late in the second but Cockburn refused to go away in a gallant effort.

Wanneroo had an 11 point lead late in the third quarter but the Cougars again fought back, levelling the game with 3.30 left on a Damien Scott put-back.

And the visitors were ahead after Steven Van Lit's long bomb on the next possession, but Damian Matacz's two-pointer restored the Wolves' lead and Cockburn couldn't capitalise despite having the ball trailing by just two with 30 seconds left.

Cougars coach Stephen Charlton said he could take positives from the game despite falling in another heartbreaker.

"It was a heck of game. It's obviously disappointing ... but overall, against the reigning premiers, it was a pretty good effort," he said.

Matacz (16 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks) was among the home side's best, while new Cockburn import Brian Carlwell (27 points and 16 rebounds) was gallant in defeat.

Earlier, Wanneroo's women also made it two wins from two games in the opening round with a convincing 80-62 triumph over the Cougars.

After an even opening, the Wolves powered away in the second and third quarters to open up a 17 point gap at the final break and cruised home to hand Cockburn its second loss of the weekend.

Nikita Martin led Wanneroo with 21 points, while Ainsleigh Sanders (10 points, seven rebounds and six assists) also made a valuable contribution.

Import Stephanie Jones continued her phenomenal start to her stint with the Cougars with 24 points and 17 rebounds but it wasn't enough to get new coach Daniel Nelson his first win with the club.

Article by Jacob Kagi at Joondalup Basketball Stadium
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)

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