The Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants enhanced their reputation as key performers in milestone matches on Saturday in a 94-86 home victory over Willetton in Jimmy Bowler’s 250th State Basketball League appearance.

Giants forward Michael Haney starred with a game-high 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

Haney was well supported by co-captains Ryan Hulme and Matthew Leske, who contributed 18 and 15 points respectively.

The Tigers started strongly and were out to an 8-0 lead with import Ephrem Davis dominating under the ring. Leske scored the first points for the Giants and then put in some strong defensive work to bring the local side back into the game.

Leske and Hulme combined for 15 points to keep the Giants within two points at quarter-time.

The introduction of Lordan Franich at the start of the second quarter had immediate results when he levelled the score at 28-all.

The Tigers regained the lead after Robert Kampman hit a three-pointer before Shamus Ballantyne fouled Bowler to send him to the line.

A technical foul from the Tigers’ bench during the ensuing timeout allowed Bowler and Haney a chance to tie the scores.

A three-pointer from Willetton’s Tevin Jackson restored their lead before a technical foul from the Giants’ bench gave Kampman an easy two points.

Haney and Leske reduced the deficit but a three-point shot just before the buzzer from Mark Jones gave the Tigers a seven-point lead at half-time.

A two-handed dunk from Dwayne Radcliffe early in the third quarter brought the local crowd alive before a three-point shot from Hulme reduced the Tigers’ lead to two.

The lead changed hands four times before a three-point attempt from Franich and a fade-away jump shot from Haney gave the Giants a three-point margin at the final change.

Willetton came out firing and quickly regained a four-point lead.

However, two free-throw attempts from Giants import Ty Harrelson reduced the deficit.

Harrelson made the first attempt and missed the second, but a strong rebound and shot from Haney brought the margin back to one.

With 55 seconds left in the match, a long three-pointer from Hulme gave the Giants a two-point lead.

A foul on Haney gave him an easy two points to stretch the margin out to four. Willetton were forced to deliberately foul the Goldfields players in an attempt to regain the ball, but the Giants continued to increase the lead.

Adam Nener made a long three-point attempt but it was too little, too late. A steal from Leske, followed by a simple lay-up to finish the match, gave the local side their first home victory for the season.

Giants coach Dan Fisher said he was relieved to finally win at home.

“I thought it was going to be de jA vu there for a moment, but the boys fought back to their credit, ” Fisher said.

“It was great that the boys were able to do it for Jimmy’s milestone match.

“The boys seem to do well for the big games – maybe we should try and have a milestone match every week.”

The Giants now boast a 3-3 win-loss record and face the undefeated Lakeside Lightning and East Perth Eagles on the road next weekend.

Article by Michael Philipps (a target=blank href="http://www.kalminer.com.au">Kalgoorlie Miner
Photo by Travis Anderson (Andmedia