Round 16 Spotlight | Redbacks draw first blood on Suns

With an impressive back court performance from Makailah Dyer and Bri Bailey, and Jess Jakens and Maddie Allen delivering up front, the Perth Redbacks opened their double-header with the Kalamunda Eastern Suns with an important Friday night win.

The Redbacks and Eastern Suns meet one another twice in Round 16 of the NBL1 West season and the first of those clashes took place on Friday night at Belmont Oasis.

It was an especially important game for the Redbacks who might already have secured a playoff berth in this inaugural NBL1 West season, but want to remain in the top four hunt and to keep that the case, they do need to keep winning.

They were playing their first game in two weeks having had the Round 15 bye due to the men's team playing in Geraldton, but it was always going to be a tricky game against an Eastern Suns team who might be out of the finals hunt, but are well coached with a host of experienced, championship winners on their squad.

And it's always an interesting dynamic knowing you are playing one another twice in the space of 24 hours, but the Redbacks got off to a fast start and held that advantage the rest of the way to end up beating the Eastern Suns 81-62.

The Redbacks and Eastern Suns began their Round 16 double-header at Belmont Oasis on Friday night with the home team getting off to a fast start trying to keep their top four hopes alive and playing their first game in two weeks.

The Eastern Suns had lost their previous three matches to slip from the playoff hunt, but still with Jewel Williams and Rebecca Motroni in the back court, and Sam Roscoe and Ellyce Ironmonger up front, and coached by Craig Mansfield, they could never be taken lightly.

However, the Redbacks made a flying start on their home floor with an early triple to Makailah Dyer and then three balls from Denielle Ashworth for the 9-2 opening. 

Jess Jakens and Dyer would soon put the Redbacks up 13-5, and it became a double-digit lead heading towards quarter-time when the Redbacks forced a turnover and Sarah Allen finished on the fast break.

Perth went on to lead 23-16 by quarter-time and maintained a handy edge most of the rest of the way. The Redbacks ended up scoring another 21 points to 18 in the second quarter to go into half-time leading 44-34.

It was more of the same in the second half with the Suns struggling with just eight points in the third quarter and in the end while Kalamunda never stopped trying to mount a fightback, the Redbacks cruised to the important 81-62 victory.

Despite the presence of Roscoe and Ironmonger for Kalamunda, Perth actually dominated on the glass with 52 rebounds to 38 including 16 to nine on the offensive end. The Redbacks also shot the ball at 41.8 per cent to 33.8 from the Suns while getting to the foul line 22 times to just 12.

Redbacks coach Craig Allen knew the importance of continuing to win as they try and finish as high up on the table as possible, but was happy with the performance afterwards.

"We're definitely happy with that result, 100 per cent. They're a quality unit who on their day can knock anybody off in this league. I was very nervous coming into it but very happy coming away with that result," Allen said.

"It was very important to start well and that was one of our points of emphasis going into the game and then try to ride the wave throughout the game and hopefully control the tempo. I thought for a big chunk of that game we did that exactly that, we controlled the game and it ran well."

Makailah Dyer top-scored once again for the Redbacks with 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Bri Bailey came up huge knocking down 4/8 from three-point land for 17 points.

Jess Jakens put in a power of work inside as well for the Redbacks with 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals on 8/12 shooting while Maddie Allen delivered three points, 14 rebounds, two steals and two blocks on top of brilliant defence on Ironmonger and Roscoe.

Denielle Ashworth added eight points, five rebounds and four assists for the Redbacks, Sarah Allen seven points and Shenae Hartree five points and five boards.

Jewel Williams top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 12 points, three assists and two rebounds with Mel Moyle adding 11 points, four rebounds and two dimes on 4/6 shooting including 2/3 from the three-point line.

Sam Roscoe finished with nine points and eight rebounds, Mia Jacobs nine points and five boards, Ellyce Ironmonger eight points and eight rebounds, and Rebecca Motroni six points and four assists.

Not only had it been two weeks since the Redbacks last played, but it hadn’t been ideal preparation for the weekend which made the coach even more proud of his entire group for the way they performed.

"It's actually been a really interesting and interrupted preparation this week. We've had a few issues within the player group with some sadness around the team," Allen said.

"This was a really brave effort for Del to even come out and play tonight and Michelle lost her dad the week before so we've had some things going on for people to deal with, but it's really brave of both Michelle and Del to still be part of the game itself let alone the preparation for it. 

"It was a little different of a preparation but it was really nice to see the group get together and support each other, and get the job done in the end."

While the Friday night win was important for the Redbacks, it won't count for much if they don't back it up again against the Eastern Suns at Ray Owen Sports Centre on Saturday.

"It is important that we keep winning definitely so it will be all about the same application on defence which I believe is the key for us," Allen said. 

"We need to execute on the defensive end and then create from there offensively, that's how we are run when we look at our best I think. Hopefully we can start well again and then execute on the defensive end and create from there."

NBL1 WEST WOMEN'S DIVISION 2021
ROUND 16

THURSDAY
Warwick Senators 86 lost to Rockingham Flames 103

FRIDAY
Perth Redbacks 81 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 62
East Perth Eagles 82 defeated Rockingham Flames 69
Lakeside Lightning 56 lost to Mandurah Magic 96

SATURDAY
Joondalup Wolves v Willetton Tigers – HBF Arena 5pm
Cockburn Cougars v Lakeside Lightning – Wally Hagan Stadium 5pm
Perry Lakes Hawks v East Perth Eagles – Bendat Basketball Centre 6pm
Kalamunda Eastern Suns v Perth Redbacks – Ray Owen Sports Centre 6.30pm