NBL1 West 2022: Red-hot Willetton Tigers overcome slow start to bury South West Slammers women’s team

After being held to account during the opening term, the Willetton Tigers women’s team broke free to thump the South West Slammers 95-66 on Friday night at the Eaton Recreation Centre. The Tigers were without reliable shooter Alex Sharp, however, Samantha Lubcke seamlessly slotted into her place. The home side missed the services of Perth Lynx recruit Alex Ciabattoni. After spotting the visitors an early lead, the Slammers worked their way back into the game midway in the first quarter, with American import Tylinn Carter (24 points — 9/16 from inside the paint, 11 defensive rebounds) effectively carrying the home side’s offensive and defensive impact solely on her shoulders. Leading 23-20 at quarter-time, the Tigers began to exploit the Slammers’ lack of height, by routinely getting to the free-throw line and picking up easy points, which helped them pull away when needed. With the result all but secured minutes out from half-time, the Tigers began to land the offensive looks which were not dropping in the opening term. Leading the way offensively was long-range dynamo Desiree Kelley (some older readers may remember her father Vince, who played in the heydays of the SBL), while Tayla Hepburn also finished with a double-double. KEEPER STATS Field goals (Tigers 22/49, Slammers 20/40); three-point attempts (Tigers 11/32, Slammers 3/18); total rebounds (Tigers 52-39 Slammers); assists (Tigers 26-14 Slammers); steals (Tigers 24-9 Slammers); turnovers (Slammers 31-16 Tigers).