South West Slammers women’s side fall short of securing second win of season against Lakeside Lightning

South West Slammers’ women’s side fell short of securing their second win of the NBL1 West season on Saturday, suffering a 13-point defeat to Lakeside Lightning. The Slammers were ultimately unable to recover from a slow start which saw them trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, going down 80-67 despite a better showing in the next three quarters. A fifth straight defeat since a drought-breaking victory in their season opener leaves the Slammers sitting 11th on the ladder but their improved competitiveness is indicated by a percentage of 77.19, a far better mark than in recent years. Mykea Gray starred again for the Slammers, producing a 21-point, six-rebound, six-assist, six-steal performance, and the side’s other import Cayla King (13 points, seven rebounds) was able to find ways to contribute despite being kept quiet from three-point range. The performance of 16-year-old guard Ella Edwards, who scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds in her first start in the competition, was also a major highlight. But as has been the story of their season, the Slammers were not able to get enough offensive output from their supporting cast, with all their other players outside that trio combining to make only six of their 31 field goal attempts. The visitors ended the game on the right side of many statistical categories, including winning the rebound battle 46-45 and throwing the ball away one time fewer than the Lightning. Offensive execution ultimately proved the difference between the two sides, with the hosts able to make 30 of their 73 field goal attempts while the Slammers went 20-for-65. The Slammers’ issues in scoring were crystal clear in the first term, when they made only one of their first 16 shots from the floor to find themselves facing an early 25-5 deficit. Closing out the second term on a 15-7 run helped the visitors trim their half-time deficit to 12 and a scoring blitz early in the third reduced it back to six. But the Lightning, who were best served by star Teige Morrell (16 points, 15 rebounds) and Sarah Allen (20 points), were able to respond to ensure there was to be no comeback.