THE Kalamunda Eastern Suns won twice, the Cockburn Cougars lost twice and the Rockingham Flames suffered their first defeat of the women's SBL season all in Week 15 action across Friday and Saturday nights.

The Eastern Suns recorded two impressive wins across the weekend handing the Flames their first defeat and also downing the Cougars to storm back into the hunt to finish in third position while the Cougars' hopes of a high finish took a hit in losses to the Senators and then the Suns.

The four women's matches on Friday night were highlighted by the Kalamunda Eastern Suns upsetting the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 84-78 at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.

The Lakeside Lightning also beat the Perth Redbacks 79-63 at Belmont Oasis, the Mandurah Magic defeated the Schweigen East Perth Eagles 75-40 at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre and the Stirling Senators downed the Soprano Lady Cougars 71-65 at Wally Hagan Stadium.

Then on Saturday night the Joondalup Wolves beat the Perry Lakes Hawks 77-64 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium, the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers beat the Schweigen East Perth Eagles 64-56 at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre and the Kalamunda Eastern Suns downed the Soprano Lady Cougars 95-55 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

The weekend's results leave the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames still on top of the standings despite the loss with a 17-1 record.

The Lakeside Lightning (13-3) are second followed by the Joondalup Wolves (11-4), Stirling Senators (10-5), Mandurah Magic (11-6), Kalamunda Eastern Suns (11-7), Soprano Lady Cougars (8-9) and the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (7-10).

Outside the top eight are the Willetton Tigers (5-11), Perry Lakes Hawks (5-11), Schweigen East Perth Eagles (2-16) and Perth Redbacks (0-17).

There were again a host of star individual performances across the weekend as well with none better than Alison Schwagmeyer's double act for the Eastern Suns in their wins over the Flames and Cougars.

On Friday night, Schwagmeyer led the way for the Eastern Suns with 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals with Jennie Rintala contributing 20 points and five boards as well.

Adrienne Jones also had 15 points, four assists and three rebounds for the Suns with Chelsea Armstrong contributing 13 points, six boards and five assists.

Darcee Garbin continued her stunning form for the Flames with another 24 points and 14 rebounds while Samantha Whitcomb added 22 points and six boards.

Hailey Dunham was outstanding for the Magic with 28 points, 11 rebounds and six assists on the back of shooting 12-of-20 from the floor.

Briana Klasztorny added 13 points and eight boards for Mandurah as well with Casey Mihovilovich outstanding with 11 points, 10 steals, eight rebounds, seven assists and six blocked shots. It might have ended up as a double-double, but she threatened double-figures in five categories.

Nicole Jorre St Jorre and Stephanie Jones scored 11 points apiece for the Eagles.

Emily Fielding was the star of the night for the Lightning with 21 points and nine rebounds while shooting 9-of-16 from the field.

Krystal Stoneking added 16 points, six boards and four assists for Lakeside with Kari Pickens contributing 15 points and eight rebounds.

Gabby O'Sullivan tried hard for the Redbacks with 19 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists with Jessica Hughes adding 15 points.

Tegan Walker led the way for the Senators with 18 points and seven rebounds with Taylor Wild adding 15 points and seven assists, Amber Land 13 points, Emma Berryman 11 and Lyndal Gardner 10.

Marita Payne worked hard for the Cougars finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds with Sam Richards contributing 14 points, five boards and four assists, and Taryn Priestly 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Then on Saturday night, Alex Kerr had a huge night for the Wolves with 28 points and eight rebounds on the back of shooting 12-of-21 from the field.

Shani Amos also had 14 points and seven assists with Amy Kidner and Nikita-Lee Martin scoring 10 points apiece for Joondalup.

Sarah Donovan tried hard for the Hawks with 20 points while Lucy Stewart scored 13 points and Rosie Tobin contributed eight points, 11 boards, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Amy Patton led the way for the Slammers with 18 points, nine rebounds and four steals with Catherine Waycott adding 16 points, four boards and three steals. Brittany Gliddon and Lauren Jeffers both scored 13 points each for South West as well.

Stephanie Jones top-scored for the Eagles with 19 points and 10 rebounds with Jodee Sontay scoring 10 points and Dannielle Devenny collecting 10 rebounds.

Schwagmeyer once again led the way for the Eastern Suns with 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Jessie Edwards added 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks for the Suns with Sarah-Jane Knox scoring 11 points and Chelsea Armstrong 11.

Emma Pass top-scored for the Cougars with 17 points and nine rebounds with Marita Payne working hard for another 16 points, 10 boards and four blocked shots.

FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perth Redbacks 63 lost to Lakeside Lightning 79
Mandurah Magic 75 defeated Schweigen East Perth Eagles 40
Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 78 lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns 84
Soprano Lady Cougars 65 lost to Stirling Senators 71

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Joondalup Wolves 77 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 64
Schweigen East Perth Eagles 56 lost to Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 64
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 95 defeated Soprano Lady Cougars 55

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin