Eagles finish all over Flames in Game 1 (Week 1 Friday night Quarter Final SBL wrap)
THE Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles have opened the men's SBL playoffs for 2014 with an 11-point Friday night victory at home over the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames.
The East Perth Eagles finished the regular season in seventh position in the standings to mean they hosted Game 1 of the quarter-final series with the second-placed Rockingham Flames.
And it was the Eagles who took a one-nil advantage following Friday night's 102-91 victory at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.
Even though the Eagles led the contest 54-46 at half-time thanks to a 29 to 16 second quarter, the Flames took control after the main break with a dominant third period where they scored 32 points to just 16 from East Perth.
That saw Rockingham take a 78-70 lead into the final period, but the Eagles then dominated with 32 points to 13 to run out 11-point winners and now just need to win one of two matches at Rockingham's Mike Barnett Sports Complex next weekend to advance to the semi finals.
It was a dominant performance by East Perth on the glass with 57 rebounds to just 39 from Rockingham while the Eagles dished out 22 assists to 11 from the Flames.
Kyle Armour led the way for East Perth finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists with Sunday Dech top-scoring with 20 points, seven boards, three assists and two blocked shots.
Tom Jervis was a dominant force for the Eagles with the Perth Wildcats championship-winning centre and reigning NBL Rookie of the Year returning to the line-up with an impressive 20 points, 23 rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot.
Another former Perth Wildcats championship winner Drew Williamson also contributed 19 points, five assists and four rebounds for East Perth.
Cooper Land top-scored for Rockingham with 16 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Ryan Godfrey added 18 points, five boards and five assists as well for the Flames while Taylor Land added 13 points and 10 rebounds, Andrew Bowman 13 points and Tom Remmerswaal 13.
The men's SBL playoffs will continue tonight with Game 1 quarter-final match ups between the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers and Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers; Stirling Senators and Lakeside Lightning; and Mandurah Magic and Perth Redbacks.
Meanwhile, the women's action begins at 6pm with the Stirling Senators hosting the Joondalup Wolves at Warwick Leisure Centre and the Mandurah Magic taking on the Lakeside Lightning at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
The final two matches of Saturday night then both tip-off at 7.30pm with the Willetton Tigers playing the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames at Willetton Basketball Stadium and the Soprano Lady Cougars taking on the Kalamunda Eastern Suns at Wally Hagan Stadium.
FRIDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles 102 defeated Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 91
Article by Chris Pike
Photo by HoopShots
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