28 Jan 2017 (TRO): Archers 53-95 Riders

Erika Livermore and Dee Hayward lead Leicester Riders to an impressive road win at Cardiff Met Archers.

WBBL Trophy, South Group
Cardiff Met Archers 53 (16,30, 40) (Shanahan 15, Wagstaff 13, Collins/Lipp 8)
Leicester Riders 95 (23,48,70) (Livermore 33, Hayward 23, McGarrachan 15)

Leicester Riders have blown the WBBL Trophy South Group wide open after a comprehensive 95-53 defeat of Cardiff Met Archers, led by 33 points on 82% shooting from Erika Livermore – the highest points tally from any Rider this season, and fourth highest from any WBBL player.

Riders remain unbeaten against Archers in more than two years, or nine games, as Livermore was supported by an impressive haul of 23 points, including 5/5 three-pointers, from Dee Hayward; while Alex Smith dished a massive 14 assists.

Having lost their first game in the group, Leicester’s victory was never in doubt in this one. An 11-2 first quarter surge put them in front at 15-11, as Livermore scored 12 early points, including eight in that run. She added her team’s first seven points of the second quarter and, after Erin McGarrachan and Hayward added three-pointers, it became a 14-3 start to the second stanza, and a 36-20 lead.

Riders turned the screw after the break, the league’s best defence holding their hosts to just 10 third quarter points. Hayward and Livermore combined again, and Harriet Swindells added a three-pointer for 55-32, before a Hayward triple halted an Archers’ fightback and sparked a run of 13 unanswered, settling the game at 68-38 towards the end of the third period.

And Riders dominated the fourth too, with Livermore (8) and Hayward (3) adding another 11 in just two and a half minutes, making the score 93-50 as the team registered its highest points haul of the campaign so far, and made it three straight road wins.