LAST year's women's SBL grand finalists the Rockingham Flames opened the 2013 playoffs with an impressive high-scoring win over the Cockburn Cougars on Friday night.

Backing up last year's grand final appearance where they went on to lose to the South West Slammers, the Flames finished the 2013 regular season with a 16-6 record and in second position in the standings.

That set up a quarter-final match-up with the seventh-placed Cockburn Cougars who finished up on an 11-11 record.

The two teams met on Friday night at Wally Hagan Stadium in the only game of the evening to open the 2013 finals series in the SBL and it was an exciting and high-scoring affair.

It was the Flames that got the job done, though, winning 105-89 to take a 1-0 leading the best of three quarter-final series ahead of Game 2 next Friday night at Mike Barnett Sports Complex and then if required Game 3 will be played on Saturday night also in Rockingham.

The Flames got off to a good start in the opening quarter leading 26-20 at quarter-time and having forced seven turnovers upon the nervous Cougars.

Cockburn had another eight turnovers in the second quarter to have 15 at half-time with Rockingham leading 45-38 and then the Flames turned their offence up another level after the main break scoring 60 points to Cockburn's 51 to end up winning by 16 points.

Samantha Whitcomb was outstanding for Rockingham on the night finishing with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Jacinta Bourne also added 19 points with Darcee Garbin returning from injury to score 16 points and Kaye Tucker added 12, Cortney Hargreaves 12 and Talisia Bourne 10.

Chelsea Evans did all she could for the Cougars finishing with 28 points with Emma Pass adding 18 points to go with her 10 rebounds.

Kate Fielding also scored 18 points for Cockburn with Stephanie Jones contributing 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)