Mystics head back to Manchester with the points after an epic tussle

WBBL Championship
Barking Abbey Crusaders 80 (16,39,46, 65) (Armanu 20, Wilkinson 18, Johnson 11)
Manchester Mystics 82 (16,31,41,65) (Jones 24, Bailey 18, Browne 13)

A brilliant team performance underpinned by 24 points and 12 rebounds from Great Britain guard Georgia Jones facilitated a wonderful 80-82 double overtime triumph for Manchester Mystics at a crestfallen Barking Abbey Crusaders.

The home side had been on the front foot for almost all of the game and looked like a lock to take victory, but Mystics would not go away and a late rescue mission saw them come back from 10 points behind with less than five minutes of regulation remaining.

Some great play from Rheanne Bailey including a big three-pointer put them on the path to recovery and as Amy Browne sunk two free-throws, the first period of overtime arrived at 65-65.

It again looked like Barking would finish the job but Jones had other ideas as she made an off-balance three-pointer to save her team again and force another five minutes of action.

Manchester then finally got the edge and were able to finish the job – despite the home team benefitting from double-doubles from Savannah Wilkinson and Abigail Johnson.