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THE Joondalup City Wolves further consolidated third spot in the Men’s SBL beating the Perth Redbacks on Friday night with the Willetton Tigers winning a terrific contest over the South West Slammers and the Stirling Senators winning too.

The three games to open Week 17 of the Men’s SBL on Friday night saw the Joondalup City Wolves defeat the Perth Redbacks 87-75, the Willetton Tigers defeat the South West Slammers and the Stirling Senators score a 98-85 victory over the Lakeside Lightning.

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WEEK 17 MEN’S SBL PREVIEW 

The Friday night action got underway with the third placed Wolfpack taking on the fourth placed Redbacks at Belmont Oasis.

It was an important win for the Wolves who steady in third position with a 16-6 record while the Redbacks slip to 12-9 having now lost three straight and four of their past seven to be clinging to fourth position. It’s no coincidence that has gone hand in hand with Shawn Redhage’s absence.

The Wolfpack got off to a fast start with 21 points to 12 in the opening quarter before the Redbacks hit back in the second term to be back within two by half-time.

But the Wolves set up the win in the third term with 24 points to 13 to end up winning by 12.

Seb Salinas ended up with 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Wolfpack on the back of 7-of-14 shooting from the floor and 3-of-6 from deep.

Trian Iliadis also had 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists with Ryan Wright contributing 16 points and 11 boards, Ben Ironmonger 14 points and six rebounds, and Rob Huntington nine points, 13 boards and three assists.

Marshall Nelson continued his tremendous form for the Redbacks with another 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Lee Roberts added 20 points, 13 rebounds and five assists for Perth and Ben Smith 16 points.

A cracking contest was set for Eaton Recreation Centre with the Slammers hosting their first home Friday night game of the season up against the league-leading Tigers.

The Slammers have been in hot form since losing the opening four games of the season while Willetton went a long way to locking in the minor premiership following last Sunday’s win at home over the Buccs.

Little separated both teams throughout the night but the Slammers got on a roll during the second period to lead 50-46 at the half. But the Tigers hit back well in the second half and had just too much firepower in the end to win by seven points.

Ray Turner shook off the knock he copped late in Sunday’s game against the Buccs to star in the win over the Slammers for the Tigers with 34 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots.

Jay Bowie added 32 points, four rebounds and three assists for Willetton with Damien Scott contributing 13 points, six boards and five assists, and Nic Cody nine points and five rebounds.

Brian Voelkel had another huge all-round performance for the Slammers flirting with a triple-double with 25 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists.

Tre Nichols also had 20 points for South West while Michael Lay added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, Teny Puot 14 points and Clive Weeden 12 points and five rebounds.

The Senators continued their form reversal in recent weeks also at Warwick Stadium beating the Lightning by 13 points.

It was an important win for Stirling who improves to a 12-9 record to consolidate a spot in the top eight while it was another blow for Lakeside’s playoff hopes as it slips to 8-13.

Ash Litterick continued to thrive back in the starting line-up for the Senators finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds shooting 7-of-13 from the field.

Rhys Vague added 19 points and seven rebounds for Stirling with Cody Ellis contributing 17 points and four boards, Jayden Coburn 15 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Corban Wroe seven points, six boards and six assists.

James Padgett worked hard inside for the Lightning for another 23 points and six rebounds with Corey Shervill adding 21 points and 11 boards, and Devon Atkinson 21 points on return from a foot injury.

Saturday night’s Week 17 Men’s SBL action will see the Perry Lakes Hawks play the Kalamunda Eastern Suns in Northam while the Geraldton Buccaneers take on the Mandurah Magic, the East Perth Eagles face the Rockingham Flames and the Goldfields Giants tackle the Cockburn Cougars.

Then on Sunday afternoon, the Perth Redbacks play the Stirling Senators and the Lakeside Lightning face the South West Slammers.

FRIDAY NIGHT ROUND 17 MEN’S SBL RESULTS
Perth Redbacks 75 lost to Joondalup City Wolves 87
South West Slammers 92 lost to Willetton Tigers 99
Stirling Senators 98 defeated Lakeside Lightning 85

SATURDAY NIGHT ROUND 17 MEN’S SBL FIXTURES
Perry Lakes Hawks v Kalamunda Eastern Suns – Northam Recreation Centre 4pm
Geraldton Buccaneers v Mandurah Magic – Active West Stadium 8pm
East Perth Eagles v Rockingham Flames – Morley Sport and Recreation Centre 8pm
Goldfields Giants v Cockburn Cougars – Neils Hansen Basketball Stadium 8pm

SUNDAY ROUND 17 MEN’S SBL FIXTURES
Perth Redbacks v Stirling Senators – Belmont Oasis 2pm
Lakeside Lightning v South West Slammers – Lakeside Recreation Centre 5pm

Photo by Vikki Hile