THE Kalamunda Eastern Suns women have advanced to the SBL semi finals for 2014 after recording a hard-earned Game 3 victory over the Soprano Lady Cougars by 10 points at Ray Owen Sports Centre on Sunday.

The Eastern Suns and Cougars women's SBL teams both came into the 2014 season expected to be right up there in championship calculations.

Both had mixed fortunes in the first half of the season, but each team had come together strongly heading into the playoffs with the Suns finishing off with a 14-8 record to finish in fourth position in the standings while the Cougars finished fifth with 13-9.

That set up a tantalising quarter final match up between the two teams with only one of the genuine championship contenders to remain alive in the semi finals following the series.

As the lower-ranked team, it was Cockburn who hosted Game 1 and the Cougars won 73-68 to take a one-nil lead in the series.

Then Game 2 took place on Saturday night also at Ray Owen Sports Centre and the Eastern Suns levelled the series with an 84-73 win to force the deciding Game 3 on Sunday.

It was the Cougars who got the jump on the Suns with a strong opening period leading by four points heading into the second quarter, but by half-time the Eastern Suns had assumed control having kept Cockburn to just two points for the second period.

Kalamunda led 35-29 at half-time and then still led by six points at three quarter-time before then finishing strongly in the fourth period with 22 points to 18 to end up winning by 10 points and advancing to the semi finals while eliminating the Cougars.

The Eastern Suns, coming off making last year's grand final, will now take on the minor premier Orange Autos Rockingham Flames in the semi finals with the other series pitting the Lakeside Lightning up against the defending champion Joondalup Wolves.

In Sunday's Game 3, Alison Schwagmeyer was the star of the show for the Eastern Suns finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds and two steals.

Adrienne Jones also contributed 14 points, four steals, two rebounds and two assists for the Suns despite shooting just 1-of-10 from the field. She did shoot an efficient 12-of-13 from the free-throw line.

Melissa Moyle contributed 13 points, three assists, three rebounds and two blocked as well for Kalamunda while Jennie Rintala worked hard for eight points and 10 rebounds.

Sarah-Jane Knox pulled in 11 rebounds as well to go with two points and a steal.

Playing coach Deanna Smith backed up her big night in Saturday night's loss with another strong showing in Sunday's defeat for the Cougars finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Emma Pass finished with 12 points and three rebounds as well for Cockburn while Marita Payne worked hard for 11 points and 14 boards. Samantha Richards had 10 points also off the bench.

Meanwhile, the men's semi final match ups were already decided on Saturday night with the Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers to face the Lakeside Lightning, and the Perth Redbacks to play the Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles.

SUNDAY WOMEN'S QUARTER FINAL GAME 3 SBL MATCHES
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 72 defeated Soprano Lady Cougars 62

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin