Wildcats get back on track with a derby success

WBBL Championship
Nottingham Wildcats 101 (26,52, (Harris 28, Prior 19, Ferreira 17)
Leicester Riders 75 (15,36, (Livermore 19, Smith 13, Hayward/Swindells 11)

Nottingham Wildcats bounced back from successive defeats by recording a convincing 101-75 victory over Leicester Riders.

Dave Greenaway’s side lost on Friday in Sheffield and last week against Leicester, but produced a strong display to maintain their control in the title race.

Ashley Harris led the way with 28 points along with 10 rebounds for another double-double with Siobhan Prior adding 19 points as one of four other players in double figures.

The Riders opened the scoring through a 3-pointer from Dee Hayward, but an 18-2 response saw Nottingham surge ahead. 

Leicester cut the deficit down to seven early in the second before the Wildcats pulled clear and went into the break with a 16-point advantage as Prior netted from deep to end the half.

Prior started the second half the same way she ended the first as the lead soared past 20 points with a third triple making it 68-41. The Wildcats made five triples in the third and whilst Leicester rallied, they still trailed by 19 ahead of the final 10 minutes.

An even fourth period ensued until Nottingham produced a strong finish to close out the win in style with their fate still in their hands ahead of the final few weeks.

Erika Livermore had 19 for the Riders as they now have a 10-5 record – level with Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters.