EAST Perth missed their Perth Wildcats talent as the men’s team lost their State Basketball League match to Rockingham 102-89 on Friday night.

The Morley-based club’s effort against Cockburn on Saturday night were improved but they eventually went down to the league leaders 88-80.

It left the Eagles with four losses from their past five matches but they are clinging to eighth place on the ladder.

The Eagles were without veteran Aaron Wigg, as well as recruit Stephen Weigh and coach Adam Caporn, who were on NBL leave.

East Perth never really got into the contest against Rockingham other than for a period in the third quarter when they had an unbeaten run of nine points as NBL veteran Ben Thompson found his range.

The Eagles’ Jarrod Balcombe led all scorers with 29 points (and four blocks), while for the Flames, Travis Moore and WA under-20 player Ryan Godfrey each scored 21 points, with Travis pulling in 12 rebounds.

Against Cockburn, the Eagles played tight defence against a much taller team, which resulted in 16 Cougar turnovers.

The Eagles went into the half-time break leading 42-38 but in the third quarter the Cougars shot nearly 80 per cent from the floor.

Cockburn outscored the Eagles 29-18 for the quarter to set up the win.

Thompson again led the scoring with 25 points and 10 rebounds and was supported by Nathan Friend, who scored 14 points.

For the Cougars, Andrew Musulin and Bryce Birch top-scored with 17 points, with Andrew dominating the boards with 18 rebounds.

In the women’s league, East Perth remained winless after suffering heavy losses to Rockingham 92-56 and Cockburn 72-43.

Article Courtest of Eastern Reporter