A DOMINANT second half after overcoming an incredibly slow start was the catalyst for Rockingham Flames’ come from behind win over Willetton Tigers last Thursday night. In what was on of only two NBL1 competition to play a full round of action prior to the weekend, the Flames bounced back from a loss to Warwick Senators last week to secure the 104-102 win in the NBL1 West Men’s competition.

In an enormous turnaround, the Flames found their rhythm in the second half of the match at Willetton Basketball Stadium, piling on 64 points to 44 and coming back from 18 points down at the main break to run over the top of the home side.

Everything looked bleak in the first term when the Tigers raced out to a 17-point quarter time lead off the back of 36 points in the first quarter. The trio of Thomas Gerovich (nine points), Roosevelt Williams (seven) and Damien Scott (seven) combined for 23 of those points, and the offensive was humming for Willetton.

Though Rockingham managed to arrest the momentum in the second term, the Flames still faced an uphill battle in the second half, having still conceded an extra point in the quarter to make it 18 at half-time. It grew to 20 early in the third before the Flames started to make inroads. Isaac White was paramount in turning the match around putting up 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in a blistering 10-minute purple patch.

Cutting the deficit back to six by the final break, the Flames kept coming but only drew level with 3:17 left on the clock thanks to a long-range Ryan Godfrey jumpshot. A second one 26 seconds later saw them draw ahead and they maintained that lead to the final buzzer. Taeshon Cherry incredibly nailed a triple with 31 seconds left and drew the foul to make it a four-point play and all of a sudden it was just a point the difference.

White was deliberately fouled and sent to the free throw line where she nervously made just one of two with still 21 seconds on the lock. Passing the rock around on offence, Willetton went for the win from downtown, though Scott’s three-point attempt missed on the buzzer-beating attempt with Justin Beard safely pulling it in.

White finished the match with a game-high 28 points, as well as nine assists, four rebounds and three steals. He teamed up well with Emmett Naar (24 points, six assists, four rebound sand two steals), while Tevin Jackson (15 points, nine rebounds and four assists) and Godfrey (14 points including four of six from long-range) were the other key scorers.

Despite getting going later than his teammates, Tyreese Davis finished with Willetton’s most points, recording 24 as well as six assists, four rebounds and four steals. Cherry (19 points, six rebounds and two assists), Gerovich (17 points, nine rebound, four assists and two steals) and Williams (13 points, seven assists and two rebounds were also busy throughout the night.

WEST ROUND 3 RESULTS:

Thursday, April 17:

Willetton Tigers (102) def. by Rockingham Flames (104)
Perry Lakes Hawks (67) def. by Perth Redbacks (79)
Joondalup Wolves (98) def. by Warwick Senators (102)
Cockburn Cougars (95) def. by Mandurah Magic (100)
South West Slammers (84) def. by Lakeside Lightning (100)
Eastern Suns (68) def. by East Perth Eagles (75)