South West Slammers men’s side secure first win of the season with 12-point win over Cockburn Cougars

The South West Slammers men’s side grabbed their first win of the season in a Friday night slugfest at Eaton Recreation Centre, defeating Cockburn Cougars by 12 points. Star Buay Tuach scored only 10 points but an excellent defensive performance led by fellow import Alex Holcombe saw the Slammers run out 89-77 victors. Both teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter until an electrifying sequence that featured a huge Tuach dunk and a crafty Jack Flynn euro-step saw the visitors call for time at 18-14. The Cougars hit back but a three on the buzzer from Devan Craig saw the Slammers take a 22-21 lead into the first break. The contest see-sawed throughout the second and third terms but an excellent performance on the defensive end — punctuated by some thunderous Holcombe blocks — saw the Slammers concede only 40 points across the two periods, shoring up a 62-57 three quarter-time lead. With Shane Goff opting to spell Tuach at the top of the fourth, Manyiel Wugol stepped up in a big way, drilling three threes to extend the lead to nine points. The visitors refused to go away but the Slammers were able to hit their late free throws to ensure the result was sealed. Holcombe finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in a huge performance and Tuach was able to influence the game without having a huge scoring night, registering six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. The second game of the weekend double-header saw the Slammers go down to Joondalup Wolves 98-82 at HBF Arena on Saturday. Tuach was brilliant with a 39-point, 11-rebound double-double and Holcombe scored 12 points and grabbed 11 boards of his own, but the hosts were led home by 35 points from CJ Turnage.