Slammers' winning home streak continues

The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers extended their unbeaten run at home to three with a nine-point victory over Cockburn at the Eaton Recreation Centre on Saturday night.

The home team was in control early against the reigning SBL champions and led by 14 points at quarter time and cleared out by 28 points midway through the second.

The lead was cut to 17 at the long break before the Slammers had to withstand a second half fight back from the Cougars.

The visitors won the third and fourth terms, but couldn’t get closer than seven points before going down 85-76.

It was a vital win after South West lost 111-98 to Willetton in Perth on Friday night.

The Slammers are unbeaten at Eaton in 2013, with Geraldton and Mandurah their previous scalps.

But the Slammers’ biggest test will come this Friday night when they host unbeaten league leaders Lakeside Lightning.

Playing coach Ty Harrelson shone in both games.

He had 34 points and 10 rebounds on Friday night while his 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists were instrumental on Saturday.

Clive Weeden (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Jay Warren (24 points, 10 rebounds) both helped themselves to double-doubles against the Cougars after hitting 18 and 15 respectively against the Tigers.

Former captain Trent Worthington (12 points, 12 rebounds) made his mark against Willetton.

Wade Hitchcock hit the Slammers’ only two triples against Cockburn in a woeful 2/19 showing from outside the arc.

Damian Scott (26 points, 10 rebounds) and Gavin Field (23 points, 17 rebounds) were both influential for the Cougars.

Veteran Aaron Edwards hit the court for the first time this season, playing 19 minutes on Friday night and almost 30 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Slammers’ women slipped to eighth on the WSBL ladder after losses to Willetton and Cockburn.

Kim Sitzmann was outstanding in both games, scoring 31 points in the Slammers’ narrow 74-70 loss to the Tigers on Friday night.

She led the scoring again on Saturday with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 66-54 loss to Cockburn.