WBBL game posts week 24 (Week ending Apr 7th)

WBBL Game Reports - Fri 5th Apr

Leicester Riders 89-72 Oaklands Wolves (24-27, 39-43, 64-57)

A strong second half effort from Leicester Riders paved the way for a home success against Oaklands Wolves on Friday night.
The home team are looking to lock down second place in the last weeks of the season, while Wolves are still hoping they will soon seal their spot in the benecos WBBL Play-Offs.
Leading scorers – Brea Elmore 21, Dee Hayward 20, Jen Ashton 16 (Riders); Roya Rustamzada 19, Tia Freeman 11, Bethany Sarson 9 (Wolves)
Turning point – Leicester got onto the front foot during a powerful third period, when they outscored their opponents 25-14, having trailed at the interval.
Key stat – The hosts dominated in the paint and scored 46 points in that area, compared to 30 for Wolves.
Game hero(es) – There were a string of impressive showings, including the likes of Dee Hayward who racked up 20 points, Brea Elmore who had a team-high 21 points and 6 assists, Jen Ashton who contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. However, it was probably Kate Oliver that showed the most by producing a sparkling and all-action 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks.

WBBL Game Reports - Sat 6th Apr

Caledonia Pride 54-94 Durham Palatinates (8-26, 22-54, 35-75)

Durham Palatinates picked up a big away victory Saturday afternoon, defeating Caledonia 54-94.
The win gives Durham a big bencos Play-Offs boost following Oaklands loss to Leicester last night whilst Caledonia drop from 10th place to 11th in the Championship table.
Leading scorers – Ella Doherty 14, Sian Phillips 10, Hannah Robb 9 (Pride) – Rudiane Eduardo 28, Paula Tarnachowicz 14, Monika Bosilj 13 (Palatinates)
Turning point – The writing was on the wall within the first three minutes of the opening tip, as Durham went on a 13-2 run over Caledonia and by the end of the first period, they had extended that to an 18 point lead by the time the whistle blew for the end of the quarter and from then on, it was plain sailing for Durham.
Key stat – Durham’s shooting from the free-thow line was on perfect form today, knocking down 100% (11/11) of their free throws.
Game hero(es) – Rudiane Eduardo was key to Durham’s victory today, racking up an incredible 28 points and 8 assists.

Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters 63-71 Sevenoaks Suns (22-19, 44-38, 53-53)

Sevenoaks Suns have secured back-to-back WBBL Championship titles after beating fellow contenders Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters 71-63 on the road, avenging their Cup Final defeat in January.
Suns remain unbeaten at 19-0 in the 2018/19 campaign, and have only lost one league game in the last two years.
Leading scorers – Alison Gorrell 16, Helen Naylor 14, Levke Brodersen 12 (Hatters); Cat Carr 19, Ta’Yani Clark 14, Renee Busch 11 (Suns)
Turning point – In a fittingly close game, the teams were tied at 61 inside the final four minutes, until an offensive rebound and put back from Jess Good inspired a 10-2 finish with Carr adding a further six of those to put the game beyond the hosts.
Key stat – Tough defence and effective transition was key for Suns as they scored 19 points from the 17 turnovers that they forced, with six of those turnovers coming in the decisive fourth quarter. Clark led the push as she nabbed six steals.
Game hero(es) – Clark did a bit of everything to lead her team with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists to go with those steals. Carr led the scoring on 19, and Good grabbed a massive 14 rebounds, including seven at the offensive end, to go with her eight points.

Manchester Mystics 85-66 Essex Rebels (30-18, 49-38, 71-49)

Manchester Mystics picked up a Saturday home win over bottom of the table Essex Rebels, 85-66.
Mystics move move four points clear of fifth place Nottingham Wildcats, ahead of both teams meeting tomorrow in Nottingham.
Leading scorers – Georgia Jones 21, Evelyn Ovner 21, Julie Page 12 (Mystics) – Catherine Lutz 16, DeAngelique Waithe 16, Jessy Ward 14 (Rebels)
Turning point – Mystics held a double-digit lead at the half as a 12-1 burst in which Ovner scored eight points put them in the ascendancy. Rebels would only get as close as nine points in the third period, as they wouldn’t score a single basket until 25 seconds remained, and Manchester would take advantage with a 15-0 run sealing their victory.
Key stat – Essex racked up 22 turnovers during the contest and Manchester were quick to capitalise, knocking down 29 points off of turnovers.
Game hero(es) – Georgia Jones and Evelyn Ovner dominated most of the leader boards, with both knocking down 21 points a-piece whilst Jones also put up 10 assists and 3 steals, and Ovner racked up 10 rebounds, 3 assists.

Newcastle Eagles 59-56 BA London Lions (18-10,32-26, 46-45)

Newcastle Eagles boosted their benecos Play-Offs hopes following a close encounter win over BA London Lions, 59-56.
Eagles now move level with Durham Palatinates on points whilst Barking’s Play-Off hopes took a disappointing backwards step.
Leading scorers – Georgia Ohrdorf 12, Rachael Bland 10, Kalina Axentieva 9 (Eagles) – Ijeoma Ofomata 24, Kristie Velasquez 12, Urysla Cotton 6 (Lions)
Turning point – Newcastle led by ten in the third quarter, until seven points from Ofomata brought it back to within one heading into the final period. After a rocky start to the fourth, both teams would begin trading leads until Rachael Bland put up a key four points in the final two minutes giving Newcastle just enough to hold on until the final buzzer.
Key stat – Newcastle contested the perimeter well as Lions failed to connect on a single three-point shot all game, going 0-18.
Game hero(es) – Georgia Ohrdorf was key to Newcastle’s victory, putting up a double-double performance of 12 points and 12 rebounds.

WBBL Game Reports - Sun 7th Mar

Cardiff Met Archers 55-81 Sevenoaks Suns (16-18, 30-45, 41-65)

Less than 24 hours after wrapping up consecutive WBBL Championship titles, Sevenoaks Suns made it a perfect 20-0.
Despite a slow start, they were soon in control against Archers and coasted to victory to preserve their impressive unbeaten streak in the league.
Leading scorers – Carsi Silva 17, Stef Collins 14, Justine Ferland 8 (Archers); Cat Carr 18, Renee Busch 16, Ta’Yani Clark 10, Janice Monakana 10, Jess Good 10 (Suns)
Turning point – Archers initially rocked the visitors with the first seven points of the contest, but once Suns got over their stuttering start in the opening period, it was one-way traffic.
Key stat – Nine triples for Suns helped them ease away.
Game hero(es) – Cat Carr was superb with 18 points, 7 assists and 6 boards.Renee Busch also shot brilliantly for her 16 points.

Nottingham Wildcats 74-85 Manchester Mystics (18-21, 36-40, 55-66)

Manchester Mystics will have home advantage in the benecos WBBL Play-Off Quarter-Finals after racking up a win at Wildcats.
They sealed a top four finish, despite an astonishing display from home favourite Jasmine Joyner, who had a massive double-double of 32 points and 16 rebounds.
Leading scorers – Jasmine Joyner 32, Chelsey Shumpert 25, Brahe Ashton 10 (Wildcats); Georgia Jones 23, Sam Roscoe 19, Rheanne Bailey 13 (Mystics)
Turning point – Mystics gave Wildcats a mountain to climb with a 14-2 start to the second-half.
Key stat – Wildcats shooting only 24 from 78 was always going to mean a struggle to get victory.
Game hero(es) – Mystics posted a team effort, with playmaker Georgia Jones and Sam Roscoe the pick. The former harvested 23 points and 6 assists, while Roscoe claimed a 19-point and 10-rebound double-double.