Lakeside Lightning 91 – 87 Perth Redbacks
NBL1 West | June 13, 2026 – 20:00 local time

Lakeside Lightning held off a fierce late surge from Perth Redbacks to claim a hard-fought 91-87 victory in front of an electric home crowd. The win was the Lightning's fourth in five games, showcasing their resilience in a contest that featured 11 lead changes and was not decided until the final possessions.

Closely Fought First Half

The opening two quarters were a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to seize a double-digit advantage. Lakeside edged ahead 26-23 after the first period, but Perth responded with a 27-22 second quarter to take a 50-48 lead into halftime. Both teams shot above 48% from the floor in the first half, and the physical play under the boards resulted in 20 combined offensive rebounds before the break.

Lightning Strikes in the Third Quarter

Lakeside came out of the locker room with renewed energy, outscoring the Redbacks 25-16 in the third quarter. The Lightning's pressure defense forced five turnovers in the period, leading to seven fast-break points. A 9-0 run midway through the quarter gave Lakeside a 73-66 cushion entering the final frame, and the home crowd sensed a decisive victory.

Late Redback Rally Falls Short

Perth Redbacks refused to fold, opening the fourth quarter with an 11-4 blitz to tie the game at 77-77 with 5:30 remaining. The teams traded baskets over the next three minutes, with the largest lead being just four points. With under a minute to play and the score locked at 87-87, Lakeside's veteran guard drove the lane and finished a tough layup while drawing a foul. He converted the free throw to put the Lightning up three. After a Perth miss, Lakeside iced the game with a free throw in the final seconds.

Standout Players

• Lakeside Lightning: The hero guard finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. The team's center recorded a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, providing a vital interior presence.
• Perth Redbacks: Three starters scored in double figures, led by 20 points from their shooting guard. However, the Redbacks shot just 6-of-21 from three-point range, a key factor in the narrow defeat.

Season Context

Lakeside Lightning improves to 7-4 and remains in the thick of the NBL1 West playoff race. The loss drops Perth Redbacks to 5-6, but the team's competitive showing suggests they can challenge the division's elite on a given night. Both squads will take lessons from this tightly contested matchup as the season progresses.