THE Cockburn Cougars split their big weekend of women's SBL action with the Joondalup Wolves and Stirling Senators particularly impressive while last year's minor premiers Willetton continued to struggle.

It was a massive weekend of women's SBL action with two matches on the Friday night and then four on Saturday night as teams tried to make a statement with the league-leading and unbeaten Orange Autos Rockingham Flames having the bye.

In the end, the Cougars beat the Lakeside Lightning but lost to the Joondalup Wolves with the Wolfpack, Stirling Senators, Mandurah Magic and Kalamunda Eastern Suns among the teams to score impressive wins while the Willetton Tigers' horror start to 2014 continued.

On Friday night, the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers defeated the Perth Redbacks 72-53 at Eaton Recreation Centre and the Cockburn Cougars knocked off the Lakeside Lightning 72-60 at Wally Hagan Stadium.

Then on Saturday night, the Joondalup Wolves beat the Cockburn Cougars 67-56 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium, the Stirling Senators thrashed the Perry Lakes Hawks 77-54 at Warwick Leisure Centre, the Mandurah Magic thumped the Willetton Tigers 90-67 at Willetton Basketball Stadium and the Kalamunda Eastern Suns beat the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 89-75 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

Those results leave the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames on top of the standings with a 9-0 record while the Mandurah Magic (7-2) are just behind followed by the Lakeside Lightning (6-2), Joondalup Wolves (6-2), Cockburn Cougars (5-3), Perry Lakes Hawks (4-4), Stirling Senators (3-3) and Kalamunda Eastern Suns (4-6).

Outside the top-eight are the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (2-5), Willetton Tigers (2-6), Schweigen East Perth Eagles (2-7) and Perth Redbacks (0-10).

There were once again a host of outstanding individual performances across the weekend as well.

Amy Patton led the way for the Slammers on Friday night with 23 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and two blocked shots.

Alix Hayward led the way for the Redbacks with 20 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and three blocks with Jessica Jakens 14 points, six boards and four assists.

Sam Richards led the way for the Cougars again with 20 points while Marita Payne added 18 points, 10 boards and three blocks. Emma Pass also finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Kari Pickens scored 16 points and pulled in 13 rebounds for the Lightning with Courtney Byrnes adding 16 points and eight boards. Emily Fielding also added 12 points and nine rebounds.

And on Saturday night, Chelsea Burns led the way for Joondalup with 17 points and nine rebounds with Amanda Frontino adding 13 points and Megan Lee 10. Shani Amos also finished with six points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Marita Payne top-scored for the Cougars with 15 points and 10 rebounds with Sam Richards contributing 14 points and Emma Pass 13 to go with eight rebounds.

Taylor Wild was the star of the night for Stirling finishing with 23 points on the back of nailing 7-of-9 from three-point territory.

Sarah Donovan was the only Perry Lakes player to score in double-figures with 10 points while Megan McKay had 12 rebounds and Kate Anthony 10.

Hailey Dunham was the star of the show for Mandurah finishing with 30 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists on the back of shooting 10-of-14 from the field and 10-of-12 from the foul line.

Casey Mihovilovich added 17 points, seven steals, six rebounds and five assists.

Melissa Marsh top-scored for Willetton with 16 points with Lisa Wallbutton adding 11 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots and three assists.

Jennie Rintala had a massive game for the Eastern Suns finishing with 24 points and 18 rebounds.

Alison Schwagmeyer also contributed 21 points and seven rebounds for the Suns on the back of shooting 8-of-15 from the field and 2-of-4 from downtown.

Brittany Gliddon top-scored for the Slammers with 22 points and nine rebounds with Amy Patton contributing 17 points and nine boards.

FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 72 defeated Perth Redbacks 53
Cockburn Cougars 72 defeated Lakeside Lightning 60

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Joondalup Wolves 67 defeated Cockburn Cougars 56
Stirling Senators 77 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 54
Willetton Tigers 67 lost to Mandurah Magic 90
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 89 defeated Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 75

Article by Chris Pike