Slammers' great escape

Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers veteran Lee Smith highlighted the squad‘s belief after its thrilling double-overtime triumph over arch-rivals Mandurah on Thursday.

The Slammers were forced to negotiate the frantic final stages of the 103-100 triumph at the Eaton Recreation Centre without key signings Jay Warren and Clive Weeden, who both fouled out.

Smith said players had never doubted their ability to defeat Mandurah for the first time since 2009.

After both teams had squandered opportunities to put the game beyond doubt, the 36-year-old was the Slammers’match-winner at the death.

With scores locked at 100 apiece inside the final minute Smith got himself free under the bucket to give his side the lead, before taking crucial charge down the other end of the court which denied Mandurah behemoth Taylor Mullenax a certain reply.

He played 50 minutes for a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.

“We’ve got a thing about believing. Believing in each other and believing we can win,” Smith said.

“The guys want to win and that just showed through.”

Both teams had chances to clinch the game.

The Slammers led 84-82 with 20 seconds to play when Trent Worthington went to the stripe but missed both shots.

Mullenax, who finished the night with 31 points, scored a pressure lay-up to send the game into overtime.

The visitors looked like they had done enough in the first period of overtime, leading 93-87 inside the final minute before Wade Hitchcock and Worthington both drained triples to tie the scores and have the home crowd on its feet.

Before fouling out mid-way through the first period of overtime, Warren had been outstanding for the Slammers with 35 points.

Worthington scored 17 points but should have had more while Weeden struggled to defend Mullenax and was fouled out after just 23 minutes.

Taylor Land (19 points, 14 rebounds) and Rhett Della Maddalena (13 points, 14 rebounds) were both in the action for Mandurah while Andrew Bowman scored 20 points.

For the second week running, possession was a major concern for the South West roster, who had 28 turnovers.

Mandurah left 19 points on the stripe.