Jeffers, Donovan lift SW over Wolves

During the week Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers women’s coach Darren Austin called on his team to up its offensive output and on Saturday Lauren Jeffers and Bianca Donovan delivered, combining for 44 points in a 79-66 victory over the Joondalup Wolves.

On a night in which Amy Patton was well guarded by premier State Basketball League defender Chelsea Burns, the Slammers were forced to look for other avenues to the basket and both Donovan (23 points, five rebounds, three steals) and Jeffers (21 points, four rebounds, two steals) responded.

Both players drove hard to the basket and were rewarded with plenty of trips to the charity stripe, Donovan particularly impressive in converting seven of her eight attempts.

Patton was limited to just 16 points but was as destructive as ever off the glass, grabbing 19 rebounds and adding five assists as she demanded the majority of the Wolves defensive attention.

The Slammers did benefit from the absence of Joondalup’s leading scorer Nikita-Lee Martin but still had to work hard for the win against Burns (20 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals), Ellyce Ironmonger (13 points, 15 rebounds) and Tarryn Macpherson (14 points, six rebounds).

After jumping out to a 10-point lead at halftime the Slammers were outscored 29-6 in a dismal third quarter that included seven turnovers and sevens fouls.

It looked like the women had left themselves with too much to do in the fourth but they responded in style, pouring in 35 points to Joondalup’s nine to pull the game back out of the fire.

Donovan and Jeffers were particularly impressive down the stretch with ball in hand while the whole team lifted defensively, compiling seven steals and a blocked shot in the final stanza.

The victory moves the Slammers above Perry Lakes into the eighth playoff spot on the ladder.