Northern Star Goldfields Giants’ women’s squad are bracing themselves for a torrid few weeks to close out the NBL1 West qualifiers after twin defeats away at Lakeside Lightning and Eastern Suns extended a form slump that threatens their bid for a maiden finals berth.

The squad last month was on the brink of crashing the top five but has lost four consecutive games as US import Sierra Moore remains sidelined with an ankle strain.

Goldfields’ two-game buffer in sixth place has also been eroded, with Lakeside’s 81-70 victory on Saturday delivering an eighth win, against nine defeats, which matched the Giants’ season record.

The Giants retained sixth place on percentage, but now also have Joondalup (7-10) hot on their heels as the regular season winds down.

They now face pivotal games against Perry Lakes (10th), Joondalup (eighth), and Warwick (fourth) to finish the qualifiers.

Last Saturday against Lakeside, the Giants led at half-time but were outscored the rest of the way, 48-36 — despite Delaynie Byrne’s 21 points and 18 rebounds.

Chloe Zorzi, Rachel Pettit, and Hazelle Yam combined on 43 points and 12 rebounds but, collectively, the side converted at just 39 per cent from the field.

And on Sunday the Giants were dealt a 75-62 defeat against Eastern Suns — when Byrne’s 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists were overshadowed by Suns teenager Alyssa Bowen’s 35 points and eight rebounds.

Bowen, 19, put on an outside shooting clinic, underpinned by seven three-pointers.

“We’re still sixth, and holding on by the skin of our teeth,” Giants coach Jaymi Worthington said.

“Now we’ve got a massive opportunity to lock in these next few games, and our biggest threat is probably Lakeside so it will come down to who performs.

“And we had some good news with Sierra — she had an MRI because there was still a little bit of swelling, but it turned out to be a small pool of blood.

“It was really great news for her, to be returning very soon.

“Hopefully we can get her back, have a strong run to end the qualifiers and get a home final.”

Worthington said each player was aware of the challenge ahead and was up to the task.

“They know it’s now or never,” she said.

“Everyone feels the same — disappointed with how the weekend panned out, and just wanting to get locked in again for these remaining three games.

“Two games at home helps — we need the crowds there.”

Women’s ladder:

Cougars (14-2); Eagles (13-4); Flames (12-4); Senators (12-5); Magic (10-6); Giants (8-9); Lightning (8-9); Wolves (7-10); Redbacks (6-9); Hawks (6-10); Suns (5-12); Tigers (3-13); Slammers (3-14).