The Journo
Years ago
Buried Bearcats fall to defending champs
West Adelaide's championship dream is over after the Bearcats succumbed to a rampant Eastern Mavericks at Mount Barker last Sunday afternoon.
The Bearcats jumped out of the blocks, out muscling and out hustling the Mavericks to create an early five-point margin, stunning the defending champions to lead 21-16 at quarter time.
Tight team defence was a feature in the Bearcats gaining the early ascendency; Adam Pearce was everywhere, picking up six steals alone in the opening twelve minutes.
But Eastern then hit their straps and their shots as well, tying the game at 36-36 on a Brad Davis jumper before taking their first lead at 44-42 of a huge three pointer from Joel Goodenough.
West steadied to go into the break down three points, 47-44, but very much in the contest.
The opening seven minutes of the third quarter were very costly for the Bearcats, not only did West fail to score in that period, but the Mavericks opened a double digit margin before West reacted with the injection of Jamie Granger.
Granger created instant impact as West rallied all the way back to one-point (60-59) before going into the final twelve minutes down 63-60.
West's main four of Pearce, Danny Phillips, Ben Evans and Paul Bell looked tired after playing huge minutes throughout the first three quarters, tiredness, both physically and mentally set, the eventual downfall for West.
Yet another outrageous triple from Phillips gave West a sniff of a chance at 91-84 but Eastern took control from there on, a three point prayer from Davis finally nailing the 2005 season shut for West, Mavericks home 102-84.
Phillips was absolutely outstanding and was spent after playing the full 48 minutes, swishing a game high 30 points, including seven three pointers and dishing four assists.
Pearce had seven steals to go with 15 points, Bell added 15 points and seven rebounds while Granger played his best game of the season with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists before fouling out.
Eastern, who move on to play Sturt at Pasadena this week, had a major contribution from Goodenough (21 points, five assists), Brad Bungy (19 points and 13 rebounds) and Davis added 18 points and four assists.
