Giants split series after being humbled by clinical Flames in Rockingham

The hard work that lies ahead for the Goldfields Giants in their bid for a place in the men’s NBL1 West top-four was laid bare on Sunday in a humbling loss to Rockingham to round out the squad’s two-game road series.

Goldfields opened the series in Perth on Saturday night by edging Willetton, 86-81.

But they proved no match for the second-placed Flames the next day in a 109-80 defeat.

It was easily the Giants’ biggest loss of the season, with four previous defeats by margins of five points (twice), 10 points and four points.

The Giants were put to the sword by the Flames’ Marshall Nelson (25 points; six rebounds; three assists; one steal) and Tom Jervis (22 points; six rebounds; one assist; one steal; three blocked shots).

Travis Durnin and Devondrick Walker also played solid roles with 14 points each, and the Flames’ bench contributed 25 points.

Rockingham’s effort included Greg Hire’s 12 rebounds and four assists.

Manylok Malek was the Giants’ best performer with a team-high 22 points and seven rebounds, with Lafonzo Smith scoring 14 points.

The Giants, however, converted at just 37 per cent from the field, compared to Rockingham’s 56 per cent.

That result saw the Giants slip one spot on the ladder to sixth, with an 8-5 win-loss record.

Cockburn have an identical record but hold fifth spot on percentage.

Geraldton continue to dominate the league with 12 wins, against one defeat.

Rockingham, Warwick and Joondalup each have 10-3 records but the Senators hold second place by percentage.

The Flames and Joondalup are third and fourth respectively, with Cockburn (8-5) and the Giants rounding out the top-six.

In Saturday’s win over the Tigers, Gairges Daow and Jesse Ghee led the Giants’ charge with 25 points and 24 points, respectively, and Hussayn Ford hauled in 10 rebounds.

Goldfields will look to rebound at home this weekend against Mandurah before heading to Esperance the following weekend for a two-game series against the South-West Slammers.

Mandurah also boast eight wins but the Giants have a game in hand.