THE Joondalup Wolves, Lakeside Lightning, Rockingham Flames and Cockburn Cougars all recorded Game 1 women's SBL quarter-final matches on Saturday night to open the 2014 playoffs.

All four Game 1 women's quarter final matches took place on Saturday night with the defending champion Joondalup Wolves beating the Stirling Senators 74-71 at Warwick Leisure Centre and the Lakeside Lightning downing the Mandurah Magic 69-56 at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

The minor premier Orange Autos Rockingham Flames then defeated the Willetton Tigers 98-84 at Willetton Basketball Stadium and the Soprano Lady Cougars won a terrific contest over the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 73-68 at Wally Hagan Stadium.

The defending champion Wolves got their playoff campaign for 2014 off to a perfect start, but it took a big final quarter comeback against the Senators for them to end up winning by just the three points.

Stirling was hosting Game 1 as the lowest ranked team from the end of the regular season and the Senators got off to a terrific start opening up a 45-39 lead by half-time.

The Senators then still maintained a six-point advantage heading into the fourth period, but the Wolves were too strong down the stretch with 20 last quarter points to just 11 from Stirling to claim the away win.

Despite scoring just 10 points themselves in the third quarter, the Lightning won a 10th straight match on the back of a tough defensive showing against the Magic.

Lakeside only allowed Mandurah to score 10 points in the second period and seven in the fourth to keep them to just 56 points for the night and to win Game 1 by 13 points ahead of a potential two home matches next weekend.

Willetton got off to a strong start at home to Rockingham in Melissa Marsh's 250th SBL appearance with the eighth-ranked Tigers trailing by a solitary point at half-time, but the minor premier Rockingham got going in the second half to end up winning by 14 points.

The Flames now need to win just one of the potential two matches at home next weekend to advance to the semi finals.

Both the Cougars and the Eastern Suns have championship aspirations in the women's SBL for 2014, but only one will make the semi finals and Cockburn took a one-nil lead in their quarter final match up with a five-point win at home on Saturday night in a hotly contested affair.

There were some tremendous individual performances as well across the four matches including the efforts of Taylor Wild, Kari Pickens, Samantha Whitcomb, Darcee Garbin, Ebony Antonio and Samantha Richards.

Amy Kidner top-scored for the Wolves with 17 points and five rebounds with Nikita-Lee Martin contributing 15 points, Shani Amos 12 and Alex Kerr 11.

Taylor Wild did all she could for the Senators finishing with 21 points while shooting 7-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point range.

Taylor Bestry also had 19 points for Stirling on the back of hitting 5-of-7 from downtown. Amber Land also had 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Kari Pickens continued her stunning form for the Lightning with another 22 points and eight rebounds on the back of shooting 9-of-18 from the floor.

Krystal Stoneking added 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Lakeside while Courtney Bayliss contributed 13 points and eight rebounds.

Hailey Dunham top-scored for the Magic with 18 points with Casey Mihovilovich adding 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Samantha Whitcomb and Darcee Garbin were the stars of the night for the Flames as a double act.

Whitcomb finished with 29 points, eight assists and seven rebounds while shooting 10-of-21 from the floor and 3-of-6 from downtown with Garbin contributing 26 points and seven boards.

Tarsha Fletcher added 12 points for Rockingham, Talisia Bourne 11 and Kaye Tucker 11 to go with six rebounds and four assists.

Ebony Antonio did all she could for the Tigers finishing with 26 points and seven rebounds. Marsh added 22 points and six rebounds in her 250th appearance on the back of hitting 4-of-9 from three-point territory.

Antonia Edmondson also had 13 points and seven assists for Willetton with Lisa Wallbutton contributing 11 points and 10 boards.

Samantha Richards top-scored for Cockburn with 21 points, six assists and six rebounds while Marita Payne had a big night also with 17 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots on the back of shooting 8-of-14 from the field.

Playing coach Deanna Smith also had 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Cougars.

Jennie Rintala finished with 15 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots for the Eastern Suns while nailing 3-of-6 from long range.

Melissa Moyle also contributed 15 points and four assists for the Suns with Sarah-Jane Knox adding 11 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Alison Schwagmeyer shot just 2-of-14 from the field but had 10 points, eight boards and six assists.

SATURDAY WOMEN'S QUARTER FINAL SBL MATCHES
Stirling Senators 71 lost to Joondalup Wolves 74
Mandurah Magic 56 lost to Lakeside Lightning 69
Willetton Tigers 84 lost to Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 98
Soprano Lady Cougars 73 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 68

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Serene Elise Photography