THE Perth Redbacks knocked off the league-leading Willetton Tigers to return to some ominous form at the right time in the Men’s SBL.
Perth welcomed Shawn Redhage and Michael Vigor back into the side for the clash at Willetton Basketball Stadium and came away with a 73-82 win.
Perth had slipped to a 12-10 record and down to seventh position coming into the round, having lost its past four games and six of the past nine.
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READ NOWBut it was a different-looking Redbacks outfit on Friday night than the one that lost to the Stirling Senators the previous Sunday.
They came out on a mission and it wasn’t all just down to the returns to the line-up of Redhage and Vigor.
In the end, Redhage had just three points and nine rebounds on 1-of-11 shooting and Vigor 11 points, seven boards, four blocked shots and three assists.
But they did make their teammates walk taller and it was the type of performance for the Redbacks that puts them back in the top four hunt and shows that they remain in the title race.
The night began with the Redbacks Women’s SBL side losing to the Tigers 71-67.
Emilee Harmon ended up top-scoring for the Redbacks with 14 points, five rebounds and three steals, with Lisa Wallbutton contributing 10 points and nine boards, Bianca Donovan 10 points, Rebecca Benson nine points, Jess Jakens nine points and Ajay Johnson eight points and nine rebounds.
The Men’s SBL side continued its winning form when it beat the Geraldton Buccaneers by six points at Belmont Oasis on Saturday night.
Lee Roberts once again delivered a standout performance for the Redbacks with 29 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals on shooting 9-of-15 from the floor, 2-of-3 from long range and a perfect 9-of-9 at the stripe.
Redhage added 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Perth with Ben Smith contributing 14 points, four boards and four assists.
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