The Kalamunda Eastern Suns have snapped an eight game losing streak, and inflicted the twelfth consecutive defeat for the undermanned Goldfields Giants, with a massive 109-78 victory on Saturday night at the Neils Hansen Basketball Stadium. The Suns lead from start to finish, recording their first road victory of the season, notching their highest score of the season, and maintained hope of avoiding the wooden-spoon, improving the season record to 4-20, one game away from the Giants.

Despite only arriving at the stadium less than one hour prior to tip-off, due to flight delays, it was clear the Suns were primed for a big game, showing energy and poise, despite a slow start, to lead 30-21 at quarter time. Apart from a brief run in the second, in which the Giants were able to close the margin to 5, on the back of a 100% shooting effort from the free throw line (15 of 15 in the first half), the Suns maintained control, shooting above 50% and leading 54-47. The Suns completely controlled the first half and the third quarter was all about making a defensive statement, holding the home side to just 12 points, scoring 26 of their own, to hold an insurmountable 80-59 lead at the final break. The Suns piled on another 29 in the final quarter, and it was raining three-pointers, as the Suns completed an impressive victory.

For the Suns, fist-pumping Ben Smith had 36 points shooting 8/13 from the three point line, three more than the entire Giants effort. Luke Nevill, who had various opponents throughout the night, monstered the Giants with 34 points and 24 rebounds. Captain Joel Questel and Dayo Oladejo provided excellent hustle for the Suns and had 4 steals each. Russell Hurst was big for the Giants with 37 points and 15 rebounds whilst Lordan Franich, scored 16 and had 8 boards, after starting the game with the almost impossible task of stopping Luke Nevill.

This week, the final week of regular season action, presents a tough season-ending double header for the MSBL Suns, against two top four aspirants. Friday night the Suns are away to East Perth and then return home on Saturday night to the Furnace, for Sponsors Night, after a gruelling five game road stretch, to face the Mandurah Magic. Fresh off the bye, the WSBL Suns are looking to snap a six game losing streak, in games they are favoured to win, against the struggling Eagles and Magic. Both will be challenging contests and Craig Mansfield’s team will need to play significantly better than they have over the last month if they are to confirm a place in the play-offs. Both Friday and Saturday night games are WSBL tip-off at 6:30pm and MSBL at 8:30pm.

GAME NOTES

-The Suns’ victory is the club’s first away win since 27/7/12, a 105-100 point win at, next week’s opponent, East Perth.

-The win maintained the Suns undefeated 2013 year against the Giants, their third victory in as many games. The other two being in Round 7 (93-91 victory at the Furnace) and the other being in the Pre-Season Blitz.

-This is the third consecutive victory at Neils Hansen Basketball Stadium for the Suns, following on from victories in 2012 and 2011.

-The Giants played without imports Jayson Herring (who has already home to the U.S.A after sustaining an ACL injury) and Markhuri Sanders-Frison, who sat courtside, due to a knee injury.

-Coach Daniel Fisher suited up for the Giants and played almost 6 minutes of game-time.

Article by Steve Trejeski