THE Perth Redbacks won two thrillers over the East Perth Eagles, both Rockingham Flames teams remained unbeaten and the Geraldton Buccaneers celebrated Mat Wundenberg's 300th game in style all as part of Week 4 SBL action.

The two women's matches on Saturday night saw the Perth Redbacks beat the East Perth Eagles 77-74 at Curtin Stadium and the Rockingham Flames hammer the Cockburn Cougars 92-44 at Wally Hagan Stadium.

Then in the four men's clashes on Saturday night, the Perth Redbacks won a thriller 85-82 over the East Perth Eagles at Curtin Stadium, the Geraldton Buccaneers beat the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 112-82 at Active West Stadium, the South West Slammers downed the Goldfields Giants 107-74 at Eaton Recreation Centre and the Rockingham Flames won a heart stopper 107-106 over the Cockburn Cougars at Wally Hagan Stadium.

The Redbacks entered the top eight in the women's competition thanks to their thrilling three-point win over the Eagles on Saturday night.

Having only won two games in all of 2014, Perth has now won two of its opening five matches in the 2015 season and with a young team is building nicely for the future.

The Eagles might have now lost their first six games of the season and 22 consecutive dating back to last season, but they continue to show some encouraging signs under new coach Narelle Henry.

Gaby Clayton led the way for the Redbacks once again with another 17 points, six assists and three rebounds but she had plenty of support.

Jess Jakens had a strong night finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals while shooting an efficient 4-of-5 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line.

Lauren Hall also added 13 points and eight boards for Perth and Meike Elkington 12 points and five rebounds.

Stephanie Jones did all she could to try and lift the Eagles to victory with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists while hitting 8-of-13 from the floor. Denielle Lipscombe also had 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals for East Perth.

The defending champion Flames continued their unbeaten start to their title defence with a 38-point win on the road against the Cougars. Rockingham has now improved to a 3-0 record as a result while Cockburn slips to 3-3.

And in the men's action, the Redbacks backed up their women's performance with a thrilling three-point win over the Eagles as well.

Perth moved into the top eight in the men's standings as well as a result improving to a 2-4 record while the defending champion East Perth continues to struggling in its title defence losing its fifth match in six attempts this season.

Marshall Brown has had an up and down start to his SBL career this season, but had a good night on Saturday for the Redbacks with 25 points and seven rebounds while shooting 9-of-18 from the floor.

Jarrad Prior also had 15 points while hitting 5-of-7 from downtown with Ray Turner adding 11 points, 12 rebounds, six blocked shots and two assists.

Dennis Tawhiti added nine points and 10 rebounds for the Redbacks, Adam Johnston eight points, seven boards and three assists, Ezra Nikora eight points and Joel Wagner five points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Sunday Dech finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Eagles with Jamie Barnett adding 21 points and three boards.

Drew Williamson added 10 points, six assists and four boards while Rhys Vague contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Joe-Alan Tupaea also worked hard for East Perth with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block.

The Buccaneers then continued their hot form and celebrated captain Mat Wundenberg's 300th SBL match in style with a 30-point win at home over the Suns.

Last year's runner's up and minor premiers have now won five straight matches since an opening round loss to the Slammers while the Suns have won one of their opening five games.

Wundenberg had a terrific night as well in his 300th appearance finishing with 15 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists while shooting 6-of-9 from the field.

Bennie Lewis top-scored for the Buccs with 29 points with Daniel Thomas contributing 20 points and six assists, Quincy Hankins-Cole 17 points and seven rebounds, Carter Cook 14 points and Aaron Ralph 12 to go with five boards.

Lien Phillip did all he could for the Eastern Suns with 24 points and 15 rebounds with Jaarod Holmes contributing 22 points and seven boards, and Kevin Anthony 13 points and 12 rebounds.

The Slammers remained unbeaten after their first seven matches of 2015 with a thumping 33-point win over a Giants team who now stays winless in five attempts this season.

Tre Nichols again top-scored for the Slammers with 26 points to go with six rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Trent Worthington contributed 20 points and nine rebounds while Clive Weeden had 16 points and six rebounds, Ty Harrelson 13 points and six assists, Brian Voelkel a triple-double made up of 12 points, 20 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals, and Wade Hitchcock 11 points.

Jacob Holmen top-scored for the Giants with 23 points to go with eight rebounds while Mathiang Muo finished with 15 points and nine boards, and Jay Bowie 14 points and seven rebounds.

The other thriller of the night then took place at Wally Hagan Stadium with the Flames holding on to win by a point over the Cougars.

Rockingham has now won its opening four games of the season while Cockburn slips to 3-3.

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perth Redbacks 77 defeated East Perth Eagles 74
Cockburn Cougars 44 lost to Rockingham Flames 92

SATURDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perth Redbacks 85 defeated East Perth Eagles 82
Geraldton Buccaneers 112 defeated Kalamunda E astern Suns 82
South West Slammers 107 defeated Goldfields Giants 74
Cockburn Cougars 106 lost to Rockingham Flames 107

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Kerry Leeder