Basketball: Rockingham Flames retain fourth position after NBL1 West women’s win over Perry Lakes Hawks

Rockingham Flames women’s side took another significant step towards securing a top four NBL1 West finish with a strong 84-58 win over fellow contenders Perry Lakes Hawks. The Hawks had a chance to close the gap on the fourth-placed Flames with a win at Mike Barnett Sports Complex on Friday night, but without key players Nici Gilday and Sam Ashby they failed to capitalise after a bright start. Rockingham took charge in the second period and never looked back, at one stage piling in 15 consecutive points to open up a 13-point break. The Flames were out by 20 during the third quarter and continued to extend the margin to a game-high 26 by the final whistle. Casey Samuels kept her strong form going with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, including hitting 3 of 6 from behind the three-point line. Lisa Koop added 13 points and eight rebounds, Mehryn Kraker 13 points and five boards, Tayah Burrows 12 points and eight rebounds, and Teyla Evans four points, nine boards, five assists, two steals and a block. Emma Clarke did what she could to keep Perry Lakes in the contest with 26 points and 11 rebounds while knocking down 4/9 from behind the arc. Ash Isenbarger also had 14 points and three rebounds, and Millie McCarthy eight points, four rebounds and two assists before she fouled out late in the piece. With four wins on the trot and a 13-5 record, Rockingham needs to win just one of its remaining two matches to secure fourth spot. They’d like to do that this Saturday afternoon in Kalgoorlie because their final round clash is against the team pressing hardest to bust into the four, the Warwick Senators.