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Geraldton Buccaneers’ finals campaign alive after bounceback win over Warwick Senators

Tamra CarrGeraldton Guardian
The Buccs high-five some of their youngest fans following a hard-fought win at Activewest Stadium on Sunday.
Camera IconThe Buccs high-five some of their youngest fans following a hard-fought win at Activewest Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Arctic Moon Photography

Geraldton Buccaneers coach Dayle Joseph couldn’t remember the final result of Sunday’s blockbuster when approached for a post-game chat.

There just wasn’t enough room in his head for statistics — all space had been taken up by flooding relief.

“I don’t know,” Joseph chuckled after the qualifying clash.

“I think we won by about 10 points.”

He was almost right.

After an unexpected 83-75 loss to the Senators on Saturday night, the Buccs had a second bite of the apple on Sunday, winning by 11 points.

A reasonably confident Joseph said he felt pure relief after the comeback, which he in part credited to efforts by Alex Ducas and Colter Lasher, as well as a team-wide “grind out”.

“Because of where we sit on the ladder, there’s an expectation on us that we will perform, so it’s a relief to do well,” he said.

The Buccs walk off the court in a forlorn state after losing the game against Warwick on Saturday.
Camera IconThe Buccs walk off the court in a forlorn state after losing the game against Warwick on Saturday. Credit: Arctic Moon Photography

“You know, even last night (Saturday) I still thought we’d win it, and it’s just a funny thing with basketball, a 10-point game can happen within the space of a minute.”

Warwick have been knocked out of the State Basketball League finals after Sunday’s failure in Geraldton, while the Buccs will continue their campaign to the championship.

They will play second-placed Lakeside Lightning this week at Activewest Stadium, who sit just above them on the ladder.

Lakeside had an 18-point victory over the Goldfields Giants at the weekend.

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