IT was basically a one-sided affair when the Mount Gambier Lakers hosted Hamilton Hurricanes in Round 2 of the Country Basketball League.
The Lakers were simply too strong in every respect on their home court at the Icehouse, despite not having the services of coach Kane de Wit, or Simon Berkefeld, who had helped fill the roster in the opening round.
It was a demoralising defeat for the Hurricanes to the tune of 61 points, with six of seven Lakers reaching double figures, while just one Hurricane did the same.
Sam Stafford and Matt Berkefeld topped the list with 23 points each, Lachie Hunter finished with 19, Kurt Rodis 17, Brad Rathjen 13 and Mitch Hunter 12.
The opening term was relatively even, with a high-octane clash that appeared to be set for a tight contest.
Mitch Hunter found the first two points of the game inside the opening minute, but the Hurricanes responded through Jacob Hill.
However, Hamilton was then given a taste of what was to come, with a three from Berkefeld, plus a pair of twos from Lachie Hunter and Rathjen.
From there both sides settled in, with a Berkefeld three opening the margin to nine points mid-way through the term.
Jack English responded for the visitors, while Sam Brewer showed his hand from outside the three-point arc.
However, Rodis responded with one of the same and the Lakers continued to apply the pressure.
The Hurricanes refused to go away at that early stage of the game, even when the Lakers stretched the lead to 11 as the clock wound down.
A three from Ed Mirindi in the dying seconds sent the visitors to the first break with an eight point deficit and plenty of work to do.
An early basket for the visitors set the second quarter up for a closer contest, but a triple and a two to Stafford, followed by a two from Rathjen put paid to that.
While the Hurricanes showed plenty of scoring ability, the Lakers continued to apply the pressure, then with four-and-a-half minutes remaining in the term they opened up and went on an 11-0 run.
By the long break the margin had increased to 35 points and the game was all-but over with a 68-33 scoreline.
But far from rest on their laurels, the Lakers pushed on, with Stafford on target from outside the arc.
Mid-way through the term the margin had increased to 43 points and did not look like abating.
When the final stanza arrived the Lakers held a 54-point lead and did not let up.
In the end they claimed a 116-55 victory to remain undefeated at the top of the South West conference ladder.
But the Lakers do not have it all their own way in the conference, with Horsham Hornets also unbeaten after both sides have completed three games.
The Lakers now prepare for a trip to Warrnambool to face the Seahawks Saturday night for Round 3 of the competition.
