The Perth Redbacks’ State Basketball League men’s and women’s teams both lost their opening games of the year at the club’s new home venue of Curtin University Stadium.

The Redbacks’ women’s team failed to make the most of a nine-point half-time lead in eventually going down to the Stirling Senators 44 to 62.

Guard Meike Elkington, who won the Len Vlahov memorial medal for the best Redbacks’ player in the first home-game of the year, was their top-scorer with 13 along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Forward Alix Hayward was their next highest scorer with nine along with four rebounds and three blocked shots while guard Gabby Clayton had seven point and three assists.

The Redbacks’ men’s team held the Senators down to 84 but suffered from a general lack of scorers and a poor field goal percentage of just 30 in only scoring 72 points and losing by 12.

Power-forward and United States import Ray Turner top-scored for the Redbacks with 32 along with a massive 30 rebounds to win the Len Vlahov Memorial Award for the men’s team.

Redbacks’ point-guard and captain Joel Wagner fought tirelessly all night in accumulating six assists and five-points, while forward Jamieson Lewis chipped in with six points from just seven minutes on the court.

Both Redbacks’ teams hope to bounce back from their disappointing losses in this Friday’s away-game fixture against Lakeside Lightning, with the women’s game starting at 6.30PM and the men’s game at 8.30PM.

The men’s team then has to back this up with a home-game on Sunday against last year’s grand finalists the Geraldton Buccaneers at midday at Curtin University.

Article by Redbacks Media