Champs breathe life into defence

The women’s South West Slammers will take a 1-0 advantage to Willetton this weekend after clinching a nailbiting 67-65 overtime victory over the Tigers at the Eaton Recreation Centre on Saturday night.

The reigning champions led by 12 at the long break but spluttered on the offensive side of the court after half-time for the second consecutive week, allowing New Zealand Tall Fern Antonia Edmondson to tie the game with a buzzer beating lay-up at the end of regulation.

Zoe Harper brought the Slammers back to life in overtime, sinking two crucial field goals from inside the paint, but she fouled out with just over two minutes still on the clock.

The teams traded baskets in the dying minutes until Lauren Jeffers put the Slammers ahead for good with two clutch free throws.

Edmondson had a chance to tie the game again with just seconds to play but her shot hit the rim and sailed wide, keying wild celebrations from the home crowd.

Kim Sitzmann once again led the way for the Slammers, knocking down 18 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Gracely Smith was also impressive, contributing 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Kara Hargreaves drained four three-pointers.

Meanwhile, it was a vastly different story in the men’s quarter-final opener, with the Slammers in danger of going one and done in their first finals campaign in 12 years after sinking to a 102-70 pummelling from the East Perth Eagles.

The Slammers sorely missed the offensive production of star import Jay Warren, who was forced to sit the game out with an ankle injury.

Coach Ty Harrelson attempted to carry the team on his shoulders, but struggled from the field and could manage only 13 points, while Clive Weeden led the way with 21.

Both the men’s and women’s teams travel to Perth this weekend for games two and three of the quarter-finals.