Tigers hold on to CNG Cup
The League leading Tigers Women were short price favourites from the outset and lead comfortably throughout. Their 17 point half time lead (40-23) was stretched to 22 points (57-35), giving coach Clarke the luxury of rotating the bench on for some playing minutes late in the game.
The Cougars to their credit fought back to within single figures in the final quarter, but the Tigers ran out 62-54 victors. For the Tigers Emma Lobb topped all scorers with 16 points while Cougar Emma Pass nailed a game high 21.
For the Tigers Men the focus was always going to be on defense. With a few players out with injury coach Hampel had to treat the CNG Cup game as a danger game and they came out with ferocious defense, holding Cougars to a mere five points in the first quarter and just 21 for the half to lead by 30 (51-21) at the main break.
The Cougars put a better offensive showing in the second half but the damage was already done, the Tigers running out 96-79 winners. Ty Shaw lead the Tigers scoring with 20 points, while Andrew Dunnell and Mitch Clarke stepped up to add 16 points a piece off the bench.
With both teams sitting on top of the League ladders the Tigers travelled to Mandurah on Saturday night to take on the Magic. For the Women it was a Grand Final re-match and for the Men another danger game against a middle of the ladder placed desperate Magic team.
The Women’s game lived up to expectations with multiple lead changes and momentum swings. The Magic’s five points quarter time lead (18-23) was gobbled up by the half (37-37) then the teams tussled for ascendency right to the end.
The Tigers etched out a well earned three point win 71-68 to remain the competition leaders with just three regular season games to play. Co-captain Kate Malpass lead all scorers with 21 points.
The Magic Men pulled a few tricks on the Tigers, catching them off guard and jumping to a seven point early lead (0-7) before the Tigers pounced back to win the quarter 35-33.
By the half the Tigers stretched the margin to 15 (67-52) in a high scoring game, then went on to steam roll the Magic 119-93. Tiger big Daniel Johnson put in 29 points and Shaw was again big with 23 and 22 rebounds. Like the night before, the Tigers had several players scoring in double figures.
The win puts them on top of the league ladder and sets up a massive first versus second game this Saturday in Geraldton, against the Buccs. With just four games remaining in the regular season this game could go a long way to determining the minor champions. The Tigers Women have a bye weekend.
Article by Willetton Tigers
Photo by Mick Cronin
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