Geraldton Buccaneers suffer tough loss as Perry Lake Hawks get revenge

Geraldton Buccaneers suffered a tough home loss as the Perry Lakes Hawks gained revenge for their loss last week to keep their season alive.

Buccaneers coach Dayle Joseph had said last week he was wary of Hawks’ coach Matt Parsons, who would have prepared a response to their 110-77 loss at home two weeks ago.

The Hawks handed the Buccs just their third loss of the season on the back of some high defensive pressure and offence built around their 214cm centre Andrew Ferguson.

It was a tight opening exchange before the Buccs got on an early run thanks to Cameron Coleman and they were up by one point at the opening break.

But the second quarter saw the Buccs play possibly their worst basketball of the season to go scoreless for almost eight minutes to score only six points for the quarter as the Hawks took a nine-point advantage into the half.

The Buccs were perhaps their own worst enemy at times, with multiple passes missing their targets and shooting efficiency way down as they shot just a tick above 30 per cent for the match.

However, open shots were at a premium as the Hawks were set up well defensively and the Buccs struggled to maintain their shape in transition through the court.

They managed to stabilise in the third quarter to at least stem the bleeding and cut the lead back to seven going into the final quarter.

Mathiang Muo was just about keeping them in the game with his three-pointers but the Buccs didn’t have enough attacking options, with only Muo and Cameron Coleman getting into the double digits. Malik Meunier was the next closest on just five points.

The Buccs got to within five points but the Hawks were able to match them any time they threatened to get close and were able to stretch their advantage as the clock began to run out on the Buccs.

The loss moves the Buccs to a 16-3 season, still one game clear at the top of the ladder, while the Hawks go to 9-9 sitting just 2.1 per cent out of a spot in finals.

For the Buccs, Muo was the best with his 28 points, while Coleman had 20 to go with seven rebounds and three assists.

The Hawks’ Andrew Ferguson grabbed 25 points, supported by Matthew Leary with 20 and Ben Purser with 16.

The Buccs will want to put up a better performance against the third-placed Joondalup Wolves next Saturday night at Activewest Stadium.