Round 16 presented a tough back-to-back challenge for the Bendigo Bank Eastern Suns, with a double-header across home and away fixtures. While the weekend didn’t deliver the results we were chasing, there were standout efforts on both sides of the court—especially with the Women securing an emphatic victory in their final home game of the season.
Women’s MVP vs Lightning: Karly Murphy
Karly Murphy (Sponsored by Stott Hoare) delivered yet another commanding performance, playing the full 40 minutes and dominating on both ends. Her 35 points and 13 rebounds were instrumental in leading the Suns to victory. Karly’s ability to consistently perform under pressure continues to highlight her as one of the league’s elite.
Stat Line:
- Minutes: 40:00
- Points: 35
- Rebounds: 13
- Assists: 2
- Steals: 1
Men’s MVP vs Lightning: Marley Sam
Marley Sam (sponsored by ComWiz) stepped into the spotlight with his performance off the bench, recording 22 points in just over 21 minutes of play. This remarkable effort saw him become the youngest player in NBL1 West history to score 20+ points in a single game—a huge milestone in what’s shaping up to be a bright future.
Stat Line:
- Minutes: 21:47
- Points: 22
- Rebounds: 4
- Steals: 2
Women’s MVP vs Eagles: Karly Murphy
Backing up from Thursday night, Karly Murphy continued her exceptional form with a 24-point, 5-assist game.
Stat Line:
- Minutes: 30:09
- Points: 24
- Rebounds: 5
- Assists: 5
- Steals: 2
Men’s MVP v Eagles: Randy Bell
Randy Bell (Sponsored by Stott Hoare) brought offensive firepower to the matchup, finishing with 29 points and 5 assists. His aggressive style of play and high energy were on full display against the East Perth outfit.
Stat Line:
- Minutes: 32:43
- Points: 29
- Rebounds: 1
- Assists: 5
We now look ahead to the final rounds of the season as the Suns fight for their place in the postseason.