Geraldton Buccaneers lock in top two spot after sweeping final road double-header

The Geraldton Buccaneers have punched their ticket for a top two finish in NBL1 West after road wins at the weekend against the Lakeside Lightning and Joondalup Wolves.

The reigning champions have given themselves the best shot at reaching the grand final for a third straight year after guaranteeing a top two finish following back-to-back wins.

The first victory came on Saturday when they took care of the Lakeside Lightning but were pushed right into the fourth quarter to eventually take the win 100-93.

The game was tight early but a big scoring run let Dayle Joseph’s side put away the win and move past the Lightning by seven points.

Floor spacer and former league MVP Josh Braun came up big during the win, putting on his best performance since joining Geraldton this year.

The US import shot 42 per cent from deep, sinking six threes and scoring a team high 24 points in the win.

Supporting him was Nik DeSantis with 23 points and five assists, Johny Narkle with 20 points, four rebounds, three steals and four blocks, and Aaron Ralph with 16 points and four rebounds.

They had little time to celebrate the road win, with a grand final rematch against the Joondalup Wolves looming, the Buccs got the job done against 89-72.

Geraldton took the points in the first meeting between the two teams at home, but they were now playing at the Wolves home court - HBF Arena.

Joondalup came into the match off a six-game winning streak and all the motivation to claim redemption against the Buccaneers.

However, the Buccaneers were too much for the Wolves with a monster effort in the second quarter, outscoring the home side 39-13 in the term, taking a 19-point lead into the half-time break.

From there it was Geraldton’s game to lose and they never gave Joondalup a chance to come back, bringing home the win.

Narkle was an important cog in the victory, leading the scoring with 23 points - 17 of those coming in the second quarter alone.

DeSantis had 19 points and 11 assists, Josh Keyes had a 10 points 10 rebound double-double, Braun added 15 points and Liam Hunt finished with 13 points and six rebounds.

Following their efforts on the weekend, Geraldton sits at an 18-1 record, three games clear of the second placed Willetton Tigers and four games clear of third placed Joondalup.

With three games left to play, the Buccaneers have guaranteed a top two finish and need just one more win to secure the minor premiership.

A top two finish means that Geraldton will not only have a second chance in the finals should they lose their first match, but also means they will get to host all their matches at Activewest Stadium.

They will get the chance to lock up the number one spot on Saturday when they host the Rockingham Flames at home.