Women have big chance to stake a claim on finals spot

Fresh from snapping an unwanted four game losing streak, the Printsync South West Slammers women can enhance their finals aspirations with victory over the Kalamunda Eastern Suns on Saturday night at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

The middle of the SBL women’s ladder resembles a logjam, with teams between the fifth placed Perry Lakes Hawks and ninth placed Perth Redbacks separated by only two points.

Slammers: Secured a victory through American import Brittni Montgomery with two and a half seconds to play. Montgomery’s compatriot Makailah Dyer (29 points, four rebounds, five assists) relished her return to the starting five – while the Slammers cashed in 23 points from 16 Flames turnovers. Friday’s victory was the Slammers’ first against top eight opposition in 2019.

Eastern Suns: Sitting at 3-8, Tom Knowles’ side will need to get a wriggle on, as they are two games outside of the play-off picture. Had their moments during Saturday’s 71-60 loss to the Perth Redbacks – but a costly third quarter fade out ultimately put them off the pace.

Nathan Grover’s take (Slammers)

“We have a chance to get a bit of redemption and payback for the close loss,” he said.

“They’ve got their new import – and we went along to see how she played on Saturday night.

“We’ve got that confidence now. We know that when we play together as a group, we can beat anybody in this league.”

Scouting report(Kalamunda Eastern Suns)

League position: 10th; home record: 1-5; away record: 2-3; last round: lost to Perth Redbacks 71-60.

Top performer: Jennie Rintala – 22 points (6/12 from the field, 3/8 from beyond the arc, 1/3 from free throw line), seven rebounds, one assist, six steals.