WBBL game posts week 22 (Week ending Mar 24th)

WBBL Game Reports - Sun 24th Mar

Essex Rebels 88-57 Caledonia Pride (20-23, 46-36, 66-45)

They may hav entered this contest propping up the table, but newcomers Essex Rebels can still dream of making the Play-Offs.
They posted their third league success of their rookie campaign to continue their hopes of making the top 8, thanks to a brilliant one-two punch from their headline performers.
Leading scorers – DeAngelique Waithe 39, Jessy Ward 26, Cat Lutz 11 (Rebels) – Sian Phillips 18, Iona Ross 15, Hannah Robb 14 (Pride)
Turning point – While Caledonia led after the first quarter, Essex took the initiative in the second with a super 26-13 period and it set the tone for what was to follow after the break.
Key stat – A poor shooting effort from the visitors did their chances serious damage after they missed 49 of their 66 field goal attempts.
Game hero(es) – DeAngelique Waithe was outstanding with a massive 39 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals and 4 assists. Meanwhile Jessy Ward was just as impressive with 26 points, 9 assists, 7 boards and 3 steals.

Leicester Riders 79-65 Manchester Mystics (25-12, 48-26, 67-50)

The title race continues after Leicester Riders kept up the pressure on their still unbeaten rivals, Sevenoaks Suns.
Riders were too powerful for Mystics as they prospered from a red-hot start to the contest.
Leading scorers – Rebecca Navarro 24, Kate Oliver 16, Brea Elmore 11 (Riders); Julie Page 17, Rheanne Bailey 13, Sam Roscoe 13 (Mystics)
Turning point – There wasn’t one, since Riders opened up a quick-fire double figure lead at 20-6 and never needed to look back.
Key stat – A total of 25 assists was a nice number for the hosts and they also dropped 24 points from turnovers to show their ruthless streak.
Game hero(es) – Rebecca Navarro was one rebound away from a super double-double after scoring 24 points from a brilliant 62% from the floor.

Durham Palatinates 66-62 Newcastle Eagles (18-17, 28-36, 43-45)

It was tense and ultimately rewarding for Durham Palatinates as they moved into the top six of the standings with a hard-fought win against local rivals, Newcastle.
Durham struggled in the early stages, but got it done down the game stretch to take derby bragging rights and improve their Play-Off prospects.
Leading scorers – Rhianna Mae Laing 13, Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby 12, Rudiane Eduardo 10 (Palatinates) – Giulia Simioni 19, Kara Bonenberger 15, Steph Gandy 10 (Eagles)
Turning point – Trailing 38-44, Durham outscored the visitors 9-3 either side of the third and fourth quarter break to tie the game up and always looked the more likely winners after this.
Key stat – Newcastle were beaten up up in the paint and outscored 38-24, while also losing the rebounding battle 53-39.
Game hero(es) – It was not a day for outstanding performances, but rather a team effort as Durham showed unity to seal the deal.

Nottingham Wildcats 57-98 Sevenoaks Suns (19-29, 37-51, 46-81)

Sevenoaks Suns had little difficulty in seeing off Nottingham Wildcats on the road as they moved to a super 16-0 in the standings.
Yet to taste defeat in the WBBL Championship, Len Busch and his players remain firmly on course to defend their coveted league title.
Leading scorers – Chelsey Shumpert 27, Jasmine Joyner 10, Jagoda Oses 7 (Wildcats) – Judit Fritz 22, Cat Carr 18, Renee Busch 18 (Suns)
Turning point – As soon as Sevenoaks had netted a big haul of 29 first quarter points, it was never realistic there would be a turning point.
Key stat – Suns were on fire from long-range with 17 three-pointers made.
Game hero(es) – Cat Carr and Judit Fritz both impressed, with Carr not far away from a triple-double with 18 points, 11 boards and 8 assists. Fritz was in fine shooting form with 22 points, while also adding 7 assists. Renee Busch also drained 6 big triples.

Yep, but Suns are a class act !!