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THE Lakeside Lightning and Perth Redbacks hit the road on Friday night in the Men’s SBL and came away with impressive victories over the Mandurah Magic and Rockingham Flames to open Round 10.

There were two matches in the Men’s SBL on Friday night to open Round 10 of the 2018 season.

That saw the Lakeside Lightning defeat the Mandurah Magic 106-80 at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

The Perth Redbacks welcomed back their championship winning starting front court of Lee Roberts and Michael Vigor for the first time in 2018, and delivered a 110-87 victory against the Rockingham Flames at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.

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The Friday night action in the Men’s SBL got underway in Mandurah with the Magic attempting to return home and bounce back from a heartbreaking one-point loss in Kambalda last Saturday night against the Goldfields Giants.

The Magic started strongly too to lead 26-22 by quarter-time but the Lightning too were desperate to start building some momentum this season.

They put up 36 points in the second quarter to lead 58-52 at the break before going on with it in the second half with a 25-8 third quarter before recording the 26-point victory to improve to a 5-7 record on the season with Mandurah slipping to 2-9.

Daniel Alexander showed just how valuable a pick up he’s going to be on return to the Lightning now in his second stint after having an outstanding 2016 season.

He delivered 33 points and five rebounds on Friday night shooting 12/16 from the floor, 4/6 from beyond the arc and 5/6 from the free-throw line.

John Isenbarger added 17 points and three assists for Lakeside with Bryan Michaels contributing 15 points, Corey Shervill 13 points and four rebounds, and Rowan Mackenzie nine points and four boards.

Jamal Shabazz top-scored for the Magic with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals while fellow import Shaun Stewart added 16 points, four assists and three boards.

Damon Ballantyne also had nine points for Mandurah and Cousteau Kyle eight points.

It was then set to be a tantalising match up at Mike Barnett Sports Complex with the Redbacks at full strength for the first time in 2018 and the Flames hosting the defending champions desperate to return to the winning list.

It was the Redbacks who got off to a flying start with 35 points to 22 in the opening period. They still led 59-52 at half-time and extended that lead further throughout the second half to win by 23 points.

The victory improves the Redbacks to a 10-3 record on the season while the Flames slip to 6-7 having now lost five matches in succession after opening the season winning six of their first eight games.

While Lee Roberts and Michael Vigor returned for the Redbacks, it was Ben Smith who top-scored with 27 points and five rebounds on the back of shooting 10/13 from the field and 7/9 from three-point range.

Shawn Redhage added 25 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Redbacks too with Mo Barrow contributing 16 points and five boards, Jackson Hussey 12 points and four assists, and Zac Gattorna eight points.

Roberts had 11 points in 27 minutes in his first game of the season with Vigor also finishing with nine points, four assists and three rebounds in 18 minutes.

Rockingham was again without Josh Ritchart but fellow import Curtis Washington top-scored with 28 points and five rebounds.

Greg Hire added 23 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for the Flames with Ryan Godfrey contributing 13 points, eight boards and six assists, and Justin Beard nine points, three rebounds and three assists.

WEEK 10 MEN’S SBL FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Mandurah Magic 80 lost to Lakeside Lightning 106
Rockingham Flames 87 lost to Perth Redbacks 110

SATURDAY
Lakeside Lightning v Goldfields Giants – Lakeside Recreation Centre 7.30pm
Geraldton Buccaneers v Perry Lakes Hawks – Active West Stadium 7.30pm
Willetton Tigers v Joondalup Wolves – Willetton Basketball Stadium 8.00pm
East Perth Eagles v Cockburn Cougars – Morley Sport and Recreation Centre 8.00pm
Kalamunda Eastern Suns v Mandurah Magic – Ray Owen Sports Centre 8.30pm

SUNDAY
Joondalup Wolves v Goldfields Giants – HBF Arena 12.00pm
Cockburn Cougars v Willetton Tigers – Wally Hagan Stadium 2.00pm
Stirling Senators v South West Slammers – Warwick Stadium 4.00pm