NBL1 West: Slammers lose both games in Esperance series against Goldfields Giants

Despite some positive signs at times over the weekend, the South West Slammers women’s team were unable to secure a victory against the Goldfields Giants in Esperance. Saturday - Goldfields Giants d South West Slammers 87-56 at Esperance Indoor Sports Stadium The Slammers got off to the worst possible start against the Giants, falling in a 10-0 hole inside the opening three and a half minutes. Needing a spark to turn things around, senior figure Alex Ciabattoni was able to steal the ball and ensure Tiahna Sears scored the Slammers’ first points of the night. Defensively, the Slammers had difficulties curbing the influence of Emma Klasztorny (23 points, eight rebounds, five assists) and Danielle McCray (19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists), who both shot at 75 per cent beyond the arc — and were the only two Giants players to successfully sink a three-point shot. During a forgettable night offensively across the board, American import Tylinn Carter top scored for the Slammers with 17 points, while Grace Adams (eight points - 3/5 field goal attempts) made the most of her minutes off the bench. KEEPER STATS Field goals (Giants 26/60, Slammers 16/49); three-point attempts (Giants 6/17, Slammers 2/17); free-throw attempts (Giants 17/27, Slammers 18/30) total rebounds (Giants 58-47 Slammers); assists (Giants 25-12 Slammers); steals (Giants 14-10 Slammers); turnovers (Slammers 22-18 Giants). Sunday - Goldfields Giants d South West Slammers 71-63 at Esperance Indoor Sports Stadium After being level with the Giants at quarter time, the Slammers suffered a costly lapse in the second term, where they were outscored 20-9. While the Slammers were able to match it with the Giants in almost all areas aside from their brief fade-out, a lack of penetration to the basket and generating free-throw opportunities again was noticeable. KEEPER STATS Field goals (Giants 26/51, Slammers 25/46); three-point attempts (Giants 2/20, Slammers 3/25); free-throw attempts (Giants 13/22, Slammers 4/6) total rebounds (Giants 46-45 Slammers); assists (Giants 20-16 Slammers); steals (Giants 13-8 Slammers); turnovers (Giants 14-12 Slammers).