Flames topple Giants in Kambalda

Sound Telegraph

The Rockingham Flames put together one of their best performances of the 2013 SBL season on Saturday, defeating the Goldsfield Giants 105-77 in Kambalda.

Steven Bennett made an astounding nine three-pointers and Rockingham was able to overcome a fantastic 40 point performance from Goldsfield’s American Jaycen Herring.

Bennett finished the game with 32 points, making three-pointers at several key stages of the game.

“They kept going under our ball screens pretty much the entire game, almost daring me to shoot and I was able to step in with confidence and knock down some shots for us,” Bennet said.

Making the victory more impressive was the fact that Goldsfield had yet to lose a game with the recently added Herring, winning their past three games.

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But after scoring the first three points of the game, Rockingham quickly took over the lead, and never trailed again the rest of the game.

Rockingham pushed the lead to 15 in the second quarter before Goldsfield put together a strong rally to cut into the lead.

Once again Bennett made two big three-point shots to answer and kept the Flames in front by nine at the break.

Rockingham picked up where they left off in the second half, quickly pushing the lead back up to double digits.

Twice, the Giants cut the lead down to six points but Trent Gerovich who finished with 15 points also knocked down some timely outside shots to keep Goldsfield at an arm’s reach.

Even when import Cooper Land went to the bench with five fouls late in the third quarter, Rockingham were able to extend their lead.

Rockingham held Goldsfield to just 29 second half points, putting forth by far their best defensive performance of the season.

Head coach Mark Utley was pleased with his side’s display.

“Everybody was ready to play, and everybody understood their role and executed it. Im really proud of the defensive effort we put forth tonight,” he said.

The game was played in nearby Kambalda instead of Kalgoorlie in hopes of drawing in a bigger crowd.

The Flames will take the court again this Friday against the Stirling Senators at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex in Rockingham, with the first place women’s team playing at 6.30pm, followed by the men at 8.30pm.

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