RUNCORN, Australia (Interstat) — Ipswich visits South West Metro on Sunday in a matchup of two teams searching for consistency early in the NBL women’s season. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Runcorn.

Ipswich (2-4) enters the game coming off a 78-74 loss at S.C. Phoenix on May 24. The visiting side has split its last two contests after a 82-62 home win over Brisbane on May 16. South West Metro (1-6) has lost six of its first seven games, including a 82-63 defeat at Brisbane on Saturday.

The most recent meeting between the teams came April 18, when Ipswich won 75-59 at home. That result has been the only win for South West Metro this season, as the home side has dropped six consecutive games since that loss.

Forwards are the key players to watch on both sides. Ipswich’s Emily Saunders has been a force in the paint, recording a double-double in her most recent outing with 19 points and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes against S.C. Phoenix. She also added three blocks in that game. In her previous three games, Saunders averaged 13 points and 7.3 rebounds.

South West Metro’s Hannah Simental has been the team’s most productive scorer. In her last three games, she has totaled 41 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Simental scored 15 points with four rebounds and three assists in Saturday’s loss to Brisbane, following a 10-point, four-rebound effort against North Gold Coast on May 23.

Ipswich also got a strong performance from guard Olivia West in the loss to S.C. Phoenix, as she recorded 16 points and six assists. Georgia Ralph added 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

South West Metro’s Charlotte Whittaker scored 12 points with three rebounds in Saturday’s loss, while Stephanie Bairstow contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.

Both teams will be looking to build momentum. Ipswich’s next game is June 6 at North Gold Coast, while South West Metro hosts Rockhampton on June 6.