West Spotlight | Suns run over the top of Hawks

Featured image: Deacon Matthews | @deacs.jpg

Joe Cook-Green and Terrandus Smith combined for 48 points as the Kalamunda Eastern Suns stormed back from an 18-point third quarter deficit to outscore the Perry Lakes Hawks 60 to 42 in the second half for the 95-90 NBL1 West win.

Both the Eastern Suns and Hawks arrived at Ray Owen Sports Centre coming off losses to the Goldfields Giants and Cockburn Cougars respectively, but with both occupying top eight positions.

Jack Browder then helped Perry Lakes build a seven-point lead by quarter-time, by 13 at half-time and then as much as 18 in the third term.

But the Suns took charge in the second half and ended up outscoring the Hawks 60 points to 42 and that saw them shake off that 18-point deficit to secure the five-point home victory to the delight of their raucous home fans.

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In the end the major difference in the game was the 14 extra shot attempts that the Suns took even with the Hawks shooting 50 per cent to their 46. Kalamunda forced Perry Lakes into 22 turnovers while having just eight themselves to help in that cause.

Joe Cook-Green returned for the Eastern Suns having missed the past four games and starred with 25 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.

Terrandus Smith also produced 23 points, six assists and four rebounds for Kalamunda, Marley Sam 19 points, four assists, four steals and three boards, Joel Vaiangina eight points and two blocks, and Rob Huntington seven points and three rebounds.

Jack Browder had another big night for Perry Lakes made up of 26 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and two blocked shots on 9/20 shooting from the field, 1/6 from downtown and 7/9 at the free-throw line.

Cam Huefner added 23 points, eight rebounds and two assists for the Hawks with Andreas Grubisa contributing 13 points and four boards, Darcy Knox nine points and three assists, Jack Kingswood seven points on 3/4 shooting, and Max Bucknell six points, six rebounds and five assists.

Both teams came into the match up after last up losses and it was the Suns who got the better of the start with an early five-point lead, but then Perry Lakes got on a roll led by 21-year-old emerging superstar Jack Browder.

The Hawks went on a 13-0 run to suddenly be leading by nine and still 26-19 by quarter-time with Browder already having 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Perry Lakes were shooting 59 per cent from the field with 4/9 from downtown to the 35 per cent and 1/8 from Kalamunda.

Then the Hawks looked well on track for a win that would cement them in the top eight when leading by 18 during the third quarter before the Eastern Suns started to make their move.

The Suns scored 10 straight points and were trailing by just six at three quarter-time before the home team went on with the momentum from there with another 29 points to 18 to get their home crowd roaring to secure the five-point victory and improve to 8-3 as a result.

The Hawks will be attempting to bounce back with a double header next weekend at home to the Rockingham Flames and away to the South West Slammers while the Eastern Suns also have a double away to the East Perth Eagles and at home to the Joondalup Wolves.

NBL1 WEST 2026 SEASON | HERITAGE ROUND

KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 95 (Cook-Green 25, Smith 23, Sam 19)

PERRY LAKES HAWKS 90 (Browder 26, Huefner 23, Grubisa 13)