BENECOS WBBL Play-Off Quarter-Finals

Suns all day

Game Reports

Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters 77-67 Nottingham Wildcats (19-21, 36-42, 60-52)

It was far from straightforward, but Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters are celebrating a place in the benecos WBBL Semi-Finals after outlasting Nottingham on home soil.
After the Wildcats had held the upper hand during the first-half of the contest, the Hatters shifted up a gear after the break and did what they needed to extend their season.
Leading scorers – Sarah Toeaina 30, Alison Gorrell 22, Helen Naylor 10 (Hatters) – Chelsey Shumpert 23, Jasmine Joyner 13, Siobhan Prior 11 (Wildcats)
Turning point – The half-time locker room. Hatters were down by 6 at the interval and needed that time to examine their mediocre offering in the opening 20 minutes. They returned to the floor a different side and outscored Wildcats 24-10.
Key stat – The paltry 10 points that Hatters gave up in that third period told the story as they made the defensive adjustments needed at the break to lock down Wildcats.
Game hero(es) – Once again it was the size, power and poise of Sarah Toeaina that proved a difference-maker. She racked up a spectacular 30 points and also scored the last 10 points of the game to get it done for her team. Ali Gorrell was also on fire with her 23 points including some big outside scores and a trademark ‘And-1’.

Manchester Mystics 80-89 Durham Palatinates (27-22, 47-45, 56-71)

After their excellent finish to the campaign, Durham Palatinates continued their rich vein of form with another slice of history by taking down Mystics on the road.
They have racked up a first ever place in the benecos WBBL Semi-Finals and after making their first showpiece Final in the Trophy last month, are now just one victory away from another.
Leading scorers – Rheanne Bailey 27, Rachel James 17, Evelyn Ovner 11, Georgia Jones 11 (Mystics) – Rudiane Eduardo 24, Monika Bosilj 21, Theairra Taylor 13 (Palatinates)
Turning point – Palatinates emerged after the break on absolute fire and Mystics had no answer whatsoever. Down 49-45, Durham put together a devastating 20-2 run that put them in complete control.
Key stat – Durham killed it from close-range and converted a staggering 60% from two-point range.
Game hero(es) – Rudiane Eduardo was outstanding with a double-double of 24 points and 12 boards, while captain Monika Bosilj netted a fine 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby weighed in with a nice double-double cameo of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Sevenoaks Suns 96-60 Oaklands Wolves (24-13, 48-28, 76-43)

After securing the defence of their WBBL Championship title, Sevenoaks Suns are now out to protect their Play-Off crown after overwhelming Wolves to make the Semi-Finals.
Suns proved far too strong for the eighth seeds, although Oaklands can be immensely proud of their improvements and a first ever post-season spot.
Leading scorers – Ta’Yani Clark 28, Janice Monakana 19, Cat Carr 16 (Suns) – Roya Rustamzada 19, Bethany Sarson 10, Tia Freeman 9 (Wolves)
Turning point – There wasn’t one as Suns got off to a flying start with a powerful opening and had no cause to look back over their shoulders.
Key stat – Suns were too strong on the glass, but also shot nicely from long-range, dropping no fewer than 11 triples.
Game hero(es) – It was a monstrous effort from Ta’Yani Clark who was a colossus with a monster double-double of 28 points and 15 boards. Meanwhile Cat Carr came close to a triple-double with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Menawhile Janice Monakana could barely miss as she dropped 19 points from 80% shooting

Leicester Riders 85-69 Newcastle Eagles (28-8, 46-32, 59-44)

A scorching opening paved the way for Leicester Riders to claim a win over the Eagles and march into the last four of the benecos WBBL Play-Offs.
Having made the last game of the 2018-19 campaign, Leicester are now just one game away from repeating the feat after a strong team effort against the seventh seeds.
Leading scorers – Holly Winterburn 22, Kate Oliver 15, Brea Elmore 12 (Riders) – Giulia Simioni 19, Georgia Ohrdorf 16, Kara Bonenberger 12 (Eagles)
Turning point – While the Eagles did their best to launch a rescue mission, there was no turning point in reality. At least after they allowed Riders to blast their way into a 28-8 first quarter advantage.
Key stat – Ultimately, Riders simply shot the ball much better at 49% compared to 31% for the Eagles.
Game hero(es) – Kate Oliver claimed a nice double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, as did Mollie Campbell with 10 points and 10 boards. Holly Winterburn was typically influential with 22 points and 6 assists.