THE women's top two teams the Rockingham Flames and Willetton Tigers won their semi-final Game 1 matches on Saturday night to be one win on their home floors away from making the SBL grand final for 2015.

While the Flames and Tigers were separated by just the one-point at the end of the regular season between first and second position, and now they need to win once at home to make the grand final, the chances of the Mandurah and Joondalup Wolves are certainly still alive.

Both Game 1 semi-final matches in the women's competition took place on Saturday night with the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames beating the Mandurah Magic 90-70 at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

The Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers also defeated the Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves 82-68 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.

Game 2 between the Flames and Magic will now take place at Mike Barnett Sports Complex on Friday night while the Tigers and Wolves will also play on Friday at Willetton Basketball Stadium. Both Game 3's will be on Saturday night if required at the same venues.

Across the two Game 1 match ups, there were again some standout performances starting with the defending champion and minor premier Flames moved within one win of another grand final appearance with a 20-point win over the Magic and Mandurah.

The Flames got off to a fast start with 26 points to the Magic's 14 in the first quarter, and then another 33 points to 15 in the second saw Rockingham in control leading by 26 points at half-time before going on to win comfortably by 20.

Darcee Garbin continued her hot form from the quarter finals with another big game for the Flames with 26 points and six rebounds while shooting 9-of-15 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.

Reigning MVP Sami Whitcomb also had 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Rockingham with Jacinta Bourne contributing 22 points, four boards, four assists and two steals, Talisia Bourne 10 points and five rebounds, and Tarsha Fletcher eight points.

Ashlee Sidebottom top-scored for the Magic with 18 points while Briana Klasztorny finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, Rachel Halleen 10 points and Casey Mihovilovich nine points, nine assists and three boards.

The Tigers, meanwhile, moved to within one game of the grand final for 2015 as well beating the Wolves by 14 points at Joondalup on Saturday night.

The Lady Wolfpack made a strong start and led the Tigers 35-24 at half-time, but Willetton gradually worked its way on top of Joondalup and ended up outscoring the home team 27-17 in the fourth quarter to win the match by 14 points.

It was the depth of the Tigers that led to the win with six players scoring in double-figures with Desiree Kelley leading the way with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals while Zoe Harper finished with 14 points, nine boards and two assists.

Melissa Collins (nee Marsh) turned back the clock to also finish with 13 points for Willetton while Kate Malpass finished with 13 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals, Lara Napier 11 points and four boards, and Louella Tomlinson 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Rebecca Mercer top-scored for the Wolves with 20 points while Nikita-Lee Martin added 17 points and 10 rebounds, Shani Amos 11 points and five assists, and Ellyce Ironmonger nine points, 16 boards and three assists.

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Mandurah Magic 70 lost to Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 90
Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves 68 lost to Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers 82

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by June Halliday