A SECOND consecutive 50-point game from Elijah Pepper guided Warwick Senators to a high-scoring 134-109 victory over Rockingham Flames in the NBL1 West Men’s competition on Saturday. The Perth Wildcats guard was electric in just his second match for the season, shooting at 53 per cent from the field in a herculean effort.

Warwick Senators were coming off a comprehensive win on the road against Lakeside Lightning in the first round where Pepper dropped 50 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the 38-point victory, and came up against a Rockingham side that had powered past East Perth Eagles the previous Friday night, 115-94.

In Saturday’s clash, it was clear the scorers would be kept busy as the Senators put up 38 points to 22 in the opening half, before the sides combined for 67 points in the second term. Rockingham had sliced back the margin from 16 to nine, though the joy was only temporary. Warwick got back to the task at hand as Pepper and his side put up a ridiculous 47 points for the third quarter to put the result beyond doubt.

The last break margin was out to 29 points, and while Rockingham rallied in the last 10 minutes, it was never going to be enough. In the end the Senators secured another big win, having scored 251 points in the first fortnight, while Pepper brought up his ton with a 51-point performance.

Pepper finished with six assists, three rebounds and three steals, while putting up 16 of 30 from the field. That included nine triples from 21 attempts (42.9 per cent efficiency). He was well supported by a couple of performances that would usually be held in much higher regard had it not been for his effort, as Cooper Creek scored 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while George Pearl managed 23 points, five assists and three rebounds.

Funnily enough the only double-double of the match went to Tyler Shand who pulled in 13 rebounds and dished off 10 assists, while having an all-round effort of six points, three steals and three blocks in the Senators’ win.

For Rockingham, Isaac White knocked down 36 points shooting 56.5 per cent from the field, while notching up six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jervon Pressley (18 points, nine rebounds) came close to a double-double, while Ryan Godfrey managed 19 points, five assists and four rebounds.

After two rounds, Warwick is one of just three undefeated sides along with Goldfield Giants and Willetton Tigers who make up the top three. Rockingham Flames sit sixth with a clash against the Tigers next up, while the Senators take on fifth placed Joondalup Wolves. Geraldton Buccaneers and Mandurah Magic are the other sides with a positive win-loss record.

WEST ROUND 2 RESULTS:

Friday, April 11:

Rockingham Flames (108) def. Cockburn Cougars (87)
Perry Lake Hawks (68) def. by Eastern Suns (77)
Lakeside Lightning (82) def. by Mandurah Magic (101)

Saturday, April 12:

Geraldton Bucccaneers (107) def. Perth Redbacks (69)
Mandurah Magic (114) def. East Perth Eagles (109)
Eastern Suns (88) def. by Willeton Tigers (99)
Warwick Senators (134) def. Rockingham Flames (109)
Cockburn Cougars (83) def. by Joondalup Wolves (102)
Goldfield Giants (106) def. South West Slammers (93)

>> FULL NBL1 RESULTS