WILLETTON Basketball Stadium hosted the only SBL fixtures on Anzac Day with the Tigers' men continuing their impressive winning form while their women again continued to struggle early in 2014 this time up against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.

Willetton's women continued to struggle early in the 2014 season with last year's grand finalists Kalamunda striking some form on Anzac Day running out 80-52 winners.

The victory improves the Eastern Suns to a 3-5 record on the season to move them back up into the women's SBL top-eight while the Tigers slip to 2-5.

Willetton is coming off being last year's minor premiers before being shocked in the first round to be bundled out of the playoffs by the eighth-seeded South West Slammers.

Kalamunda has had its troubles early in 2014 coming off making last year's grand final before falling short against the Wolves, but this 28-point win is its third straight against Willetton and could be just the tonic to kick starting the Suns' campaign.

Willetton actually found some momentum in the second quarter and turned into half-time only trailing by a solitary point.

However, the Eastern Suns came out a different unit for the second half and piled on 27 points in the third quarter, and 20 in the fourth while holding Willetton to just the 20 points for the entire second half to end up winning by 28 points.

Jennie Rintala led the way on Anzac Day for Kalamunda finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, four steals, two assists and two blocks on the back of shooting 4-of-6 from three-point range.

Alison Schwagmeyer also contributed 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Eastern Suns with Adrienne Jones adding 13 points, Chelsea Armstrong 10 and Jessie Edwards 10 to go with eight rebounds.

Antonio Edmondson top-scored for the Tigers with 20 points with Melissa Marsh the only other player to score in double-figures with 13 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists.

Lisa Wallbutton went scoreless in 23 minutes of court time and shooting 0-of-6 from the floor. She did pull in five rebounds and dish out four assists though.

Meanwhile, in the men's contest at Willetton Basketball Stadium the Tigers' men proved too good for the Eastern Suns running out 111-99 winners.

The win backs up Willetton's upset of the Lakeside Lightning last Saturday night and now sees the Tigers improve to a 3-5 record on the season after a slow start while the Suns slip to 2-7 while sitting in bottom place in the standings.

It was a more than competitive first half with the Eastern Suns heading into the main break with a 50-48 advantage, but the Tigers then put their foot down in the third period putting on 38 points to set up the eventual 12-point victory.

Once again Willetton's two imports were the stars of the show with Quinn McDowell top-scoring with 32 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals, and John Dickson added 31 points, seven boards and three assists.

Mitchell Clarke also added 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Jacob Reed 11 points and Nebojsha Franich 10 points and eight boards.

Louis Timms top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 29 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and three assists with Ben Smith adding 23 points.

Adhar Mayen also contributed 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists with Joel Questel finishing with 13 points and 10 assists.

ANZAC DAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCH
Willetton Tigers 52 lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns 80

ANZAC DAY MEN'S SBL MATCH
Willetton Tigers 111 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 99

Article by Chris Pike