11 Feb 2017 (TRO): Archers 95-101 Crusaders (2OT)

Barking Abbey Crusaders go 3-0 in the WBBL Trophy as they come through double overtime in Cardiff.

WBBL Trophy, South Group
Cardiff Met Archers 95 (15,31,56,75,87) (Fritz 40, Collins 24, Wagstaff 10)
Barking Abbey Crusaders 101 (20,38,52,75,87) (Wilkinson 27, Brantlova 18, Ellmore 18)
After Double Overtime

Barking Abbey Crusaders prevailed through an astonishing double overtime game to beat Cardiff Met Archers 101-95 and strengthen their place at the top of the WBBL Trophy South Group. It was Barking’s first ever WBBL win in Cardiff – as they remain unbeaten on the road since October – but, despite being 3-0, does not settle this group as they clash with Leicester Riders on Sunday, with Sevenoaks Suns also in contention.

The game was explosive from the second half. Initially, Archers stormed in front with a long-range barrage as they hit six triples in the third quarter, getting ahead at 51-49 after Laura Shanahan and Judit Fritz connected consecutively. When Stef Collins added another, Cardiff’s lead reached 54-49.

But Crusaders started the fourth with a big 10-2 push, Savannah Wilkinson on the inside and a Tereza Brantlova trey putting them back in the ascendancy at 67-62. And they looked to have won the game when another Brantlova triple extended the lead to 73-64.

But there were more three-pointers to come, from Fritz, Collins and Sarah Wagstaff in a 9-2 burst that got Archers back to within one shot at 75-73 with 38 seconds to play. It was Ilona Lipp, from the free-throw line, who forced overtime with eight seconds remaining.

Archers had a 9-2 start to the extra period, Wagstaff making it 84-77 as it was their turn to appear to have the game won. But Wilkinson led Barking back, with six in an 8-2 response, and they scored a lay-up with 2.1 seconds left to send the game into a second overtime period.

Christina Gaskin’s free-throws gave Crusaders a cushion at 95-92, and that proved to be decisive as Wilkinson scored again and Barking held their nerve at the free-throw line late on.

It is only the second time this season that a team has been through the century, as Wilkinson finished the game with a double-double of 27 points and 12 rebounds. The hosts also posted some impressive stats, including hitting 16 triples on 46% shooting, with Fritz scoring seven of those on her way to 40 points – the highest tally of any WBBL player this season.