Northumbria put a dent in Hatters’ title charge

WBBL Championship
Team Northumbria 93 (28,55,68) (Gorrell 26, Bonenberger 20, Bland 17)
Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters 83 (15,38,65) (Gayle 27, Naylor 26, Gandy 10)

Team Northumbria recorded an impressive 93-83 home victory over the in-form Westfield Heatlh Sheffield Hatters, on Sunday.

Chris Bunten’s side were one of four teams beaten by the Hatters in the Trophy pool stages, but they avenged the loss to improve to 5-5 in the league.

Alison Gorrell led the way with a team-high of 26 points with Kara Bonnenberger adding 20 points and Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee dished out nine assists.

The game was tied at 10 early on before the hosts went on a blistering 18-2 run with Rachael Bland scoring 10 of her 17 points off the bench.

Northumbria continued to dominate and the lead hit 23 points at 51-28 late in the second period before the Hatters mounted an impressive comeback.

With the gap trimmed to 17 at the half, Sheffield opened the third with a 16-2 charge to close within four points. The home side managed to keep their opponents at bay as an exciting finish ensued.

The visitors made it a one-possesion game ahead of the final two minutes, but Northumbria kept their nerve at the line and closed out the victory.

Georgia Gayle and Helen Naylor combined for 53 points in the defeat, whilst firing in 11 triples between them, though the Hatters now drop to 8-3.