Manchester Mystics eased to an opening day win with a dominant display against Durham Palatinates.
WBBL Championship
Manchester Mystics 87-46 Durham Palatinates (27-10, 49-26, 69-38)
Manchester Mystics opened their 2018/19 WBBL Championship campaign in commanding fashion, leading from tip to buzzer as they beat Durham Palatinates 87-46 at home.
Mystics finished fifth in the table last season, beating Palatinates twice, and this victory was a record winning margin over this opponent.
Leading scorers – Jones 17, Bailey 15, Chaloner 14 (Mystics); Bosili 22, Ottewill-Soulsby 15, Byrne 4 (Palatinates)
Turning point – Mystics controlled the game from the outset, opening with a 14-3 run as Natalie Chaloner scored six and Rheanne Bailey hit a three-pointer. Georgia Jones scored four first quarter triples to establish a double-digit lead that they would never relinquish, peaking late on after an 18-8 fourth quarter in which Jade Mbam added two more threes.
Key stat – Mystics were impressive defensively, holding their visitors to just 46 points, and they also forced 24 turnovers from which they scored 25 points themselves. Chaloner had four steals, and Bailey had three.
Game hero(es) – Jones scored crucial early points on her way to a team-leading 17, adding five assists, and Samantha Roscoe recorded a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.