The Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers did what they needed to do in order to be a force in the State Basketball League this season: win away from home. The Tigers will take some strong momentum into the SBL’s most difficult assignment this weekend, Geraldton Buccaneers at Active West Stadium. Saturday night’s 99-90 win verse East Perth sees the Tigers break into the top 3 with a 5-1 record, and they are now riding a 4-game win streak.

Saturday’s away game in Morley started off solidly with an early 18-point lead 6:19 into the first quarter by making the most of their trips to the free-throw line and through Corey Easley off the bench. 

It was a completely different story in the second quarter as the lead all erased with 5:55 remaining in the half, East Perth looking to their young star Rhys Vague who finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds.  At the main break Willetton held a 5 point lead thanks to some late scoring by Andrew Black.

East Perth wrestled a 6-point lead midway through the third, prompting a 15-5 scoring run by the Tigers in response. Corey Easley and Andrew Black provided the boost from the bench and the Tigers eventually held on to take their first away win in 2015.

The basics of putting defence and the team first paid off for Willetton, forcing 24 turnovers, grabbing 10 steals and outscoring East Perth by a staggering 48-2. The Tigers now have the best record in the league for points against, keeping opponents to 86.5 points per contest.

Corey Easley finished with a game and season high 32 points, captain Kyle Armour had 20 points (10/11 from the free-throw line).

The Tigers will continue their road-trip, this time in Geraldton to take on the 2nd placed Buccs. A formidable task on paper, Willetton will have the confidence of their last visit to the Midwest where they ended a 9-game win streak by the minor premiers in 2014.

Article courtesy of Willetton Media
Photo by Vic Wong