Riders storm into Semis, while there’s heartache for Crusaders

WBBL Trophy, South Group
Barking Abbey Crusaders 46 (7,19,38) (Wilkinson 15, Whittington 11, Gaynor 8)
Leicester Riders 77 (18,30,60) (Livermore 18, Swindells 14, Winterburn 13)

Leicester Riders secured top spot in the South Group and a place in the Semi-Finals of the WBBL Trophy after powering their way to a 46-77 victory away at Barking Abbey Crusaders.

Matt Harber’s side needed to win by at least five points after Sevenoaks Suns’ earlier victory and inflicted a first loss on the Crusaders to progress.

Erika Livermore had another standout game for the Riders with 18 points as one five players in double figures, including three off the bench.

The Riders made a fast start with an early 9-0 run and led 18-4 following a triple from Holly Winterburn. Barking Abbey responded well and closed the gap to five points in the second before the visitors restored the double-digit gap by half-time.

BA were back within five at 33-38 at the midpoint in the third, but that was as close as they would get as Leicester produced a blistering spell with 22 points including five threes in less than five minutes.

The damage had been done and the Riders held their opponents to eight points in the fourth as they made sure of top spot with a 15+ winning margin.

The Crusaders bow out of the competition with an inferior record in the three-way tie with Leicester and Sevenoaks.

Savannah Wilkinson posted a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds in the defeat.