Eagles struck down by Lightning
Lakeside Lightning have defeated the Australian Central Eagles 100 – 93 in a hard-fought men's State Basketball League match at the Morley Sport & Recreation Centre Friday night.
The Lightning's ninth win from 11 games this season saw them climb back into first place, while East Perth's fourth straight loss left it struggling in 12th spot with a 4-8 record.
And in a further positive for Lakeside, star American forward Ben Beran made his return from a back injury that had kept him out for the previous six weeks, scoring 18 points from 38 minutes on the court.
Brad Jackson, who was also making his return from injury, and Luke Payne each had 26 points for the Lightning.
Perth Wildcats guard Drew Williamson had 18 points in his Eagles debut, but couldn't stop his new side suffering its third home loss of the season. Tom Jervis was East Perth's best with 30 points and 19 rebounds, while Daniel Thomas added 21 points.
The Eagles opened the game with a 10-2 run, only to have Lakeside hit back from long range to stay in the game early and take a 22-20 lead to quarter-time.
The score and the momentum see-sawed in the second quarter, with the Eagles going inside to their big men and Lakeside countering with their accurate shooting from long range, but the Eagles led 48-40 at half-time.
Lakeside chipped away at the Eagles' lead throughout the third quarter, with their accurate shooting helping them to narrow East Perth's lead to four points at the final break.
But the Lightning gained the momentum midway through the fourth period before taking the lead and holding on for the victory.
Lakeside Head Coach Andy Stewart said he was pleased to beat a team he rated highly.
"The Eagles have a balanced team and Tom Jervis is a great player for them," he said.
"They’ll be hard to beat when Drew Williamson finds his timing. I’m glad we don’t have to play them again.
"I’m very happy with Ben Beran, this is his first game back for us from injury and I think he did very well"
In the women’s match, the Eagles defeated the Lightening 67 – 63 in a tough battle.
The first quarter saw the teams trading basket for basket until Liz Cooke came off the bench for the Eagles mid way through the term and sparked a run to see them take the lead into the first break 28 – 14.
The second quarter was all Lakeside with the Lightning reeling off the first eight points to narrow the gap and spending the remainder of the quarter chipping away at East Perth's lead to trail by three at the long break 39 – 36.
The third quarter was a war of attrition, with the Eagles taking a slim 52 – 50 lead into the last quarter.
The fourth quarter saw both teams battle gallantly, neither willing to give an inch. The lead changed several times but the Eagles held on in the dying moments to record the win.
Sam Norwood led East Perth to its second straight win with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Kate Fielding had 15 points.
Lakeside's best were Courtney Byrnes with 20 points and five steals and Courtney Bayliss with 12 points.
Article by Leigh Dalton at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre
Photo by Mick Cronin
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