Wildcats’ title defence gathers pace

WBBL Championship
Nottingham Wildcats 82 (24,38,60) (Harris 25, Prior 17, Mendes 16)
Manchester Mystics 68 (22,39,52) (Jones 28, Browne 13, Thomas-Johnson 12)

Nottingham Wildcats secured an important win in their pursuit of the league title as they defeated Manchester Mystics 82-68.

The Wildcats now improve to 10-1 in the league and have opened up a cushion over their closest rivals with Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters beaten.

Ashley Harris posted 25 points and 13 rebounds as four starters hit double figures including captain, Siobhan Prior, who added 17 points.

Harris and Prior both netted early triples as the home side opened up a 17-7 lead in the first. However, Manchester rallied to close within two points before taking the lead in the second as 30-23 became 36-37 with Amy Browne connecting from three.

The Mystics earned their largest lead of the game after moving up by seven early in the third, but the hosts came storming back with an 18-2 response.

Nottingham opened up a double-digit advantage in the fourth and were able to close the game out in style to go clear at the top.

Georgia Jones finished with a game-high of 28 points, but the Mystics drop their third league game of the campaign.