Rockingham Flames defeat Perth Redbacks with 27-point win on Saturday night

The Rockingham Flames retained second spot on the NBL1 West ladder as finals approach, defeating the Perth Redbacks at Mike Barnett Sports Complex on Saturday night by 27 points.

With five consecutive wins under their belt, the Flames were eager to continue their winning streak, even without stars Marshall Nelson and Greg Hire, though they did welcome back Justin Beard for the round 17 clash.

The Redbacks are locked in a battle for eighth with the Perry Lakes Hawks and were dealt a blow with the loss of Zac Gattorna.

Rockingham led by seven points quarter-time before extending the advantage to as much as 15 points during the second term and still leading 60-47 by the half-time break.

The longer the game went, the more the Flames were able to assert their dominance with the lead growing to 23 points in the third quarter, and 31 in the fourth before they claimed the 117-90 victory to secure the Anthony Exeter Cup.

Flames’ Devondrick Walker strengthened his push for the MVP award with another 29 points and five assists for Rockingham while shooting 11/16 from the floor and 7/11 from deep.

Ryan Godfrey added 22 points and five rebounds for the Flames, Justin Beard 19 points on 6/8 shooting from beyond the arc, and Callum Beard 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Travis Durnin also had 12 points and five rebounds, and Tom Jervis a terrific triple-double consisting of 12 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.

Jerami Grace top-scored for the Redbacks with 21 points to go with four assists while Louis Timms contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds, Tevin Jackson 20 points and eight boards, and Ben Smith 17 points and eight rebounds while connecting on 5/6 from three-point territory.

The last game of the regular season will see Rockingham Flames take on Lakeside Lightning Friday.