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THERE were three matches in the Women’s SBL on Saturday night with the Mandurah Magic and Lakeside Lightning remaining unbeaten in 2018 while the Joondalup Wolves opened their account for the new season as well.

Round 2 of the Women’s SBL got underway on Friday night with the Perry Lakes Hawks defeating the East Perth Eagles 84-56 and the Perth Redbacks beating the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 111-73.

Then on Saturday night there were another three matches in the Women’s SBL with the Mandurah Magic beating the South West Slammers 92-73 at Eaton Recreation Centre, the Lakeside Lightning downing the Perry Lakes Hawks 83-65 at Lakeside Recreation Centre and the Joondalup Wolves defeating the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 81-71 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

FRIDAY NIGHT’S WOMEN’S SBL RECAP – WEEK 2 
WOMEN’S SBL PREVIEW – WEEK 2 
RISING SUNS PLAYERS HAVE KALAMUNDA WOMEN ON RIGHT TRACK 

The Friday night Women’s SBL action got underway with the Slammers playing their home opener playing host to a Magic team on fire coming off a big win over the Perry Lakes Hawks in the Grand Final rematch last Saturday night.

The Slammers were coming off a loss to Kalamunda put in a strong showing at home to Mandurah and matched the Magic for three quarters. But last year’s Grand Finalists pulled away with 28 points to 15 in the third quarter to end up winning by 19 points.

New Magic import Anita Brown led the way with 22 points, four rebounds and three steals while Casey Mihovilovich contributed 17 points, five boards and three assists.

Emma Klasztorny is a rejuvenated force too after an injury-interrupted 2017 with another 17 points and eight rebounds while Carly Boag contributed 13 points, 12 boards, four assists and four steals.

Georgia Denehey ended up top-scoring for the Slammers with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists with Charlotte van Kleef adding 14 points while Raya Thompson had 11 points and Kate Fielding nine. Courtney Bayliss added eight points and 10 rebounds.

Lakeside also hosted its home opener on Saturday night taking on the defending champion Perry Lakes. The Lady Hawks were coming off a Friday night win over the Eagles and started well leading by eight at quarter-time.

The Lightning had closed the gap to two by the half and then dominated the second half culminating in a 30-point to 13 fourth quarter to run out 18-point winners.

Two-time MVP Ali Schwagmeyer again top-scored for the Lightning with 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists on an efficient 8/13 shooting from the floor and 4/7 from three-point territory.

Sydney Fipps also added 17 points and five rebounds despite shooting 5/14 and 2/9 from deep.

Jess van Schie hit 3/5 from downtown for 11 points and five rebounds with Courtney Byrnes contributing 11 points and four boards, Paris Duffield nine points and Ash Grant eight to go with 13 rebounds and four blocked shots.

The Hawks still have Nat Burton and Gabby O’Sullivan to come in, but Toni Farnworth top-scored with 22 points to go with 14 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Lauren Jeffers added 17 points and three assists for Perry Lakes while Danika Pisconeri had 10 points and four rebounds.

Lightning coach Craig Mansfield was pleased with the win to back up the road win over the Redbacks last Friday night.

“I looked at the first two weeks and there’s a bit of uncertainty for everyone at this stage. Redbacks obviously added some players and are pretty rated after the off-season, and that’s not an easy venue to play. So I was happy to get that win in a physical game,” Mansfield said.

“Then tonight the Hawks are obviously last year’s champions and a really strong club. They were missing Nat Burton and Gabby O’Sullivan but we didn’t have Sam Roscoe either. We have enormous respect for them and I was just really to start this season 2-0.

“It’s also handy I think to play early in the season that aren’t too far off full strength in terms of a style and finding out what areas you hold up in, and where you need to work on. You get a nice early read and then you have some time to address some things.”

Kalamunda was then back home coming off a loss to the Redbacks on Friday night to host a Lady Wolfpack team who also lost their season-opener last Saturday night against a Sami Whitcomb-inspired Willetton Tigers.

Little separated the two teams all evening but Joondalup scored 29 points to 19 in the third quarter and that set up the eventual 10-point victory.

Point guard and captain Shani Amos was the star on the night for the Lady Wolfpack with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Nikita Martin added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Wolves while Amy Kidner contributed 11 points and five boards, and Ellyce Ironmonger eight points and eight rebounds.

Alex Ciabattoni continued her strong start to her stint with the Eastern Suns with a third strong performance, delivering 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals on 9/17 shooting from the field.

Jewel Williams had another strong showing too for the Suns with 19 points, six assists and four rebounds while Hannah King scored 12 points.

WEEK 2 WOMEN’S SBL FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Perry Lakes Hawks 84 defeated East Perth Eagles 56
Perth Redbacks 111 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 73

SATURDAY
South West Slammers 73 lost to Mandurah Magic 92
Lakeside Lightning 83 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 65
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 71 lost to Joondalup Wolves 81

SUNDAY
Stirling Senators v Willetton Tigers – Warwick Stadium 12.00pm