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THE South West Slammers are building some nice momentum for the 2018 Women’s SBL season following a strong 15-point victory over the defending champion Perry Lakes Hawks on Sunday.

It was the last game as part of Women’s Round in the SBL with the clash between the Slammers and Hawks taking place in the prime time slot on Sunday afternoon at Eaton Recreation Centre.

It was the South West Slammers who enjoyed the 68-53 victory on their home floor against the Perry Lakes Hawks as well.

Round 9 of the Women’s SBL began on Friday night with the Kalamunda Eastern Suns beating the Rockingham Flames 74-71, the Willetton Tigers defeating the East Perth Eagles 84-47 and the Perth Redbacks downing the Lakeside Lightning 94-86.

Then on Saturday night, the Lakeside Lightning defeated the Joondalup Wolves 74-56, the Stirling Senators beat the East Perth Eagles 75-30 and the Perth Redbacks downed the South West Slammers 74-65.

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The Sunday action to close Women’s Round in the SBL focused on Eaton Recreation Centre with the Slammers hosting the Lady Hawks, with Perry Lakes having the services of Nat Burton for the first time in 2018.

That meant the Hawks entered the clash with the majority of their championship squad from last year available for the first time this season, but the Slammers were coming in with some renewed confidence.

That was despite a loss to the Redbacks on Saturday night, but prior to that the Slammers had won three of their past five games with the only losses in that stretch against impressive Lakeside and Rockingham teams.

So the stage was set for a fascinating contest and the Slammers started strong with an 18-point to 12 first quarter. They then held Perry Lakes to just five points in the second quarter to lead 36-17 at half-time.

The game was virtually over by the break and even though the Lady Hawks outscored the Slammers 36-32 in the second, the Slammers still came away with the impressive 15-point win to improve to a 4-6 record with the Hawks slipping to 1-9.

Charlotte van Kleef once again top-scored for the Slammers with 22 points, six rebounds and two assists despite only hitting 4/14 from three-point range.

Georgia Denehey added 14 points, five rebounds and two assists as well for South West while Courtney Bayliss contributed 13 points, three boards and three assists, Tayah Burrows 12 points and five rebounds, and Tori Fisher three points and nine boards.

Nat Burton marked her return for Perry Lakes by top-scoring with 17 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots on shooting 8/14 from the field. She did go 1/8 from the free-throw line though.

Toni Farnworth added 14 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals as well for the Lady Hawks with Gabby O’Sullivan contributing seven points and seven rebounds.

WEEK 9 WOMEN’S SBL FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Rockingham Flames 71 lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns 74
Willetton Tigers 84 defeated East Perth Eagles 47
Lakeside Lightning 86 lost to Perth Redbacks 94

SATURDAY
Joondalup Wolves 56 lost to Lakeside Lightning 74
East Perth Eagles 30 lost to Stirling Senators 75
Perth Redbacks 74 defeated South West Slammers 65

SUNDAY
South West Slammers 68 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 53