Win takes Geraldton Buccaneers to top spot on the NBL1 West ladder

A tight 92-89 win at home over the Perry Lakes Hawks has rocketed the Geraldton Buccaneers to top spot on the NBL1 West ladder.

Fresh off an unusual home loss, the Geraldton side had a chance to redeem themselves at Activewest Stadium when they took on Perry Lakes on Saturday.

The match was a milestone marker for Buccaneers big man Ryan Blanchett, who was playing in his 200th NBL1 West game.

The slow start was marked by the Buccs coming back to take a one-point lead by the quarter time break.

Geraldton managed to push it further by each break, going up by 10 at the end of the half and up by 13-points going into the final period.

Perry Lakes did not roll over, as the side fought back during the fourth quarter and pushed Geraldton in the dying minutes of the game.

However, the reigning champs managed to hold on at the very end, taking a three-point win over the Hawks.

Nik DeSantis continued to carrying the scoring load for the Buccs with a season high 32 points along with two assists, a rebound and a steal.

Josh Keyes contributed with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks and Liam Hunt added his fifth double-double this year with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

In his 200th game Blanchett added four points, five rebounds, four assists and a block.

With the win, Geraldton improved their record to 8-1, and with Joondalup dropping a game, it allowed the Buccaneers to move up to the top of the ladder for the first time this season.

They will have a tough time holding that number one spot as the Buccs go back on the road heading to Perth and facing their third double-header this season.

On Saturday, they will face the Cockburn Cougars at Wally Hagan Stadium and then on Sunday they will have a chance to redeem their home loss when they take on the East Perth Eagles at the Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.