Women face big challenge away

The Printsync South West Slammers women’s team face the table topping Joondalup Wolves on Saturday night at HBF Arena, with their play-offs destiny in their own hands.

Sitting in eighth spot – and with the Kalamunda Eastern Suns and Perth Redbacks nipping at their heels – the Slammers need to arrest a worrying trend of recent losses.

Slammers: The South West-based side crashed to a 92-74 loss against the plucky Eastern Suns, who broke the game open with a late 8-0 run to end the first quarter and never looked like losing from that point on. The Slammers committed 25 turnovers during the loss – which the Eastern Suns were able to cash in with 22 points.

Wolves: Sitting two games clear on top of the table and enter Saturday night’s clash unbeaten at home. Didn’t have things their own way early against the Redbacks, before a resolute defensive stand midway through the game ensured they had enough of a buffer to hold firm.

Nathan Grover’s take (Slammers)

“They are missing Kayla Steindl, who is away for a big chunk of the season with her husband.

“There was a bit of back and forth and I assume Nixy (Charles Nix) probably more of a comfortable game.

“To still get the win without Kayla and have a couple of the other girls pop up and score big – they would be pretty confident that they can chalk up some wins without her.”

Scouting report(Joondalup Wolves)

League position: 1st; home record: 5-0; away record: 6-2; last round: defeated Perth Redbacks 79-72

Top performer: Amber Land – 15 points (4/11 from the field, 0/1 from beyond the arc, 7/10 from free throw line), 20 rebounds, three assists, three steals.