BUNBURY, Australia (Interstat) — The East Perth women’s basketball team, riding a 9-4 record, visits the struggling Southwest squad Saturday in a National Basketball League matchup at Bunbury. East Perth enters as a heavy favorite against a Southwest team that has lost nine of its first 12 games.

East Perth’s offense has been fueled by Sarah Mortensen, a versatile forward who has posted double-doubles in four of her past five outings. In a 79-67 loss to Rockingham on June 6, Mortensen played 38 minutes and finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Two days earlier in an 82-80 loss to Kalamunda, she logged 40 minutes and scored 24 points to go with 13 rebounds, four assists and one block. Mortensen has averaged 19.8 points and 11.8 rebounds over her last five games, including a 20-point, 14-rebound effort in a 93-78 victory against Joondalup City on May 23.

East Perth, which has won two of its last five, also relies on guard Jade Williams. In the loss to Rockingham, Williams matched Mortensen with 21 points and added four rebounds and two assists. Forward Brooke Malone contributed eight points and 10 rebounds in that game.

Southwest, 3-9, has lost five straight and eight of its last nine. The team’s most recent outing was a 80-61 defeat to Perry Lakes on June 6, where guard MarShaun Bostic scored 23 points in 30 minutes. Bostic has been the lone bright spot for Southwest, averaging 25 points in losses to Perth Redbacks (79-128 on June 5) and Mandurah (111-68 on May 30). She also had seven points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a 68-64 win over Lakeside on May 23.

Southwest’s defense has been porous, allowing at least 80 points in nine of 12 games and surrendering 100-plus points three times. Center Melanie Hoyt scored 16 points with seven rebounds against Perry Lakes, and guard Briana Bailey added eight points and five assists.

Saturday’s game is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will meet again July 3 in East Perth.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. local time.