Cougars split tough round in women's SBL
Cockburn Cougars split their big weekend in the women's SBL to stay in touch with the top teams with a 5-3 record for fifth place on the ladder.
The Cougars had a good win over third-placed Lakeside on Friday night but tired on Saturday to go down to fourth-placed Joondalup Wolves.
The Wolfpack, Stirling Senators, Mandurah Magic and Kalamunda Eastern Suns scored impressive wins while the Willetton Tigers' horror start to 2014 continued.
The weekend results leave the Rockingham Flames - who had a bye - on top of the standings with a 9-0 record while the Mandurah Magic (7-2) are just behind followed by the Lakeside Lightning (6-2), Joondalup Wolves (6-2), Cockburn Cougars (5-3), Perry Lakes Hawks (4-4), Stirling Senators (3-3) and Kalamunda Eastern Suns (4-6).
Outside the top eight are the South West Slammers (2-5), Willetton Tigers (2-6), East Perth Eagles (2-7) and Perth Redbacks (0-10).
There were a host of outstanding individual performances across the weekend.
Amy Patton led the way for the Slammers on Friday night with 23 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and two blocked shots.
Alix Hayward of the Redbacks scored 20 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and three blocks and Jessica Jakens registered 14 points, six boards and four assists.
Sam Richards led the way for the Cougars again with 20 points while Marita Payne added 18 points, 10 boards and three blocks. Emma Pass also finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Kari Pickens scored 16 points and pulled in 13 rebounds for the Lightning with Courtney Byrnes adding 16 points and eight boards. Emily Fielding also added 12 points and nine rebounds.
And on Saturday night, Chelsea Burns fired Joondalup with 17 points and nine rebounds with Amanda Frontino adding 13 points and Megan Lee 10. Shani Amos also finished with six points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Marita Payne top-scored for the Cougars with 15 points and 10 rebounds with Sam Richards contributing 14 points and Emma Pass 13 to go with eight rebounds.
Taylor Wild was the star of the night for Stirling finishing with 23 points on the back of nailing 7-of-9 from three-point territory.
Sarah Donovan was the only Perry Lakes player to score in double-figures with 10 points while Megan McKay had 12 rebounds and Kate Anthony 10.
Hailey Dunham was the star of the show for Mandurah finishing with 30 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists on the back of shooting 10-of-14 from the field and 10-of-12 from the foul line.
Casey Mihovilovich added 17 points, seven steals, six rebounds and five assists.
Melissa Marsh top-scored for Willetton with 16 points with Lisa Wallbutton adding 11 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots and three assists.
Jennie Rintala had a massive game for the Eastern Suns finishing with 24 points and 18 rebounds.
Alison Schwagmeyer also contributed 21 points and seven rebounds for the Suns on the back of shooting 8-of-15 from the field and 2-of-4 from downtown.
Brittany Gliddon top-scored for the Slammers with 22 points and nine rebounds with Amy Patton contributing 17 points and nine boards.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 72 defeated Perth Redbacks 53
Cockburn Cougars 72 defeated Lakeside Lightning 60
SATURDAY
Joondalup Wolves 67 defeated Cockburn Cougars 56
Stirling Senators 77 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 54
Willetton Tigers 67 lost to Mandurah Magic 90
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 89 defeated Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 75
