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THE only Women’s SBL quarter-final series to go to three games was decided on Sunday with the defending champion Willetton Tigers beating the Stirling Senators 85-67 at Warwick Stadium.

The other three quarter-final match ups were decided earlier in the weekend with the Perry Lakes Hawks beating the Cockburn Cougars, the Lakeside Lightning defeating the Joondalup City Wolves and the Mandurah Magic downing the Perth Redbacks.

Game 1 between the Senators and Tigers went the way of Stirling last Saturday night when they won 79-74 at Warwick Stadium. Willetton levelled the series then on Saturday night in Game 2 winning 71-65 at Willetton Basketball Stadium.

That set up Sunday’s Game 3 back at Warwick Stadium and it was the defending champion Tigers who delivered a dominant second half to win by 18 points and advance to the semi finals while ending the season of the Senators.

That means that the semi-final match ups pit the Lady Hawks against the Tigers, and the Magic up against the Lightning.

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The scene was set for a fascinating Game 3 on Sunday between an emerging Senators team against last year’s champions, not to mention that both are coached by long-time friends Glenn Clarke and Simon Parker to add to the intrigue.

The Tigers worked their way on top late in the first quarter leading by as much as six points but the Senators turned that around going on a 9-0 run in the second term and leading by as much as nine points.

That saw Stirling still up 40-33 at half-time but Willetton’s experience and quality shone through in the second half with its season on the line.

The Tigers took control of the contest at one stage going on a run of 11 straight points and leading by as much as 18 points which ended up being the final margin.

Willetton kept its title defence hopes alive with the 52 points to 27 in the second half and it was Stacey Barr who proved a major difference as she shot 9-of-14 from the floor, 2-of-4 from deep and 6-of-8 at the line for 26 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Jess Hootmann had a huge impact inside as well for Willetton with 19 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals with Desiree Kelley contributing 12 points, three boards, three assists and two steals.

Kate Malpass continued to play through the shoulder she hurt in Game 1 for nine points with Zoe Harper adding seven points and Sam Norwood seven along with 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

While the Senators will be disappointed to have their season ended at the hands of the Tigers, they deserve to be proud of their growth in 2017 and coach Glenn Clarke has plenty to work with to take them to the next level in 2018.

On Sunday, Kisha Lee top-scored for Stirling with 22 points and nine rebounds despite shooting 9-of-24 from the field and 2-of-10 from three-point territory.

Jasmine Martin added 15 points and four assists for the Senators, Rebekah Throns 11 points and four rebounds, and Amber Land eight points, 10 boards, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Hannah Throns contributed three points, four rebounds and five assists.

WOMEN’S QUARTER FINAL RESULTS – GAME 2s
Cockburn Cougars 61 lost to Perry Lakes Hawks 85 (Hawks win 2-0)

WOMEN’S QUARTER FINAL RESULTS – GAME 2s
SATURDAY
Willetton Tigers 71 defeated Stirling Senators 65
Joondalup City Wolves 56 lost to Lakeside Lightning 73 (Lightning win 2-0)
Perth Redbacks 54 lost to Mandurah Magic 79 (Magic win 2-0)

WOMEN’S QUARTER FINAL RESULTS – GAME 3s
SUNDAY
Stirling Senators 67 lost to Willetton Tigers 85 (Tigers win 2-1)

Photo by June Halliday