The Goldfields Giants slumped to their biggest defeat in coach Stephen Charlton's four seasons at the helm, losing 103-81 to the Geraldton Buccaneers on Sunday night.

The Buccaneers announced themselves as genuine State Basketball League contenders with American Luke Meyer scoring a game-high 33 points in the 22-point romp.

But the margin could have been much worse, given second-placed Geraldton (8-2) led by as much as 35 points in the third period when Charlton admitted the Buccaneers "really dismantled us".

It represented the Giants' second loss in three games, rounding out a tough road trip which started brightly with Saturday's 97-88 win over Willetton.

Charlton hinted the long hours on the road to Geraldton had been a factor, but he was reluctant to use fatigue as an excuse.

"That would be doing a disservice to them," Charlton said.

"It (fatigue) might have been a part of it but bottom line, they really kicked our butts.

"They were very good defensively and we were a bit off our game offensively.

"When you have a bad night against a good team they hurt you.

"They're as good a team as I've seen. They're second at the moment and they deserve to be there."

Sunday's blowout was the Giants' worst defeat since their 111-83 away loss to Perry Lakes Hawks on April 9, 2005 when Peter Feast was coach.

American import Michael Haney again top-scored for the Giants, following up 23 points against Willetton with 15 points.

But it was a dark night offensively for the reigning SBL champions, who shot just 39.4 per cent from the field.

Geraldton thoroughly dominated the Giants in every department, including the boards with 46 rebounds to 37.

Meyer was the key, falling just short of a triple double with 33 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

"They put a lot of pressure on us and we couldn't deal with it," Charlton said.

"We had a very long dry spell where we couldn't put the ball in the hole.

"Speaking to their coaching staff after the game, they said it was probably as good a game defensively as they've played this season."

Goldfields are now 7-3 and in danger of slipping outside the top four, but can make serious inroads during May with their next four games at home.

"It's an important time for us to get some wins on the board," Charlton said.

"We set out to win two games on the road this weekend. We knew Geraldton was always going to be tough, but we believed we could win.

"We're disappointed with how we've played."

The Giants can make amends when they host the Mandurah Magic at the Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium next Saturday in what will be captain Shamus Ballantyn's 250th SBL game.

Vice captain Mark Heron, who joined the Giants at the same time as Ballantyne in 2004, is due to play game No.150 for the club.

Both Heron and Ballantyne played 112 games for Willetton.

Article courtesty of Kalgoorlie Miner, by Jarrod Lucas