The Wrap

Four teams are now potentially 40 minutes away from playing in the 2017 Play-Off Final at The O2.

Nottingham Wildcats and Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters were first to advance before being joined by Leicester Riders and then Sevenoaks Suns, who won earlier today.

 

Len Busch’s side knocked out defending Play-Off champions, Team Northumbria as a strong fourth quarter display sealed a 67-56 triumph.

Cat Carr led the way with 24 points and nine rebounds, while the visitors were paced by Alison Gorrell’s 26-point haul.

The Suns set a showdown with Leicester Riders after they overcame the challenge of Barking Abbey Crusaders with a 70-64 success.

The home side pulled clear in the second before needing to hold off a late rally from their opponents in a high-scoring final period.

Dee Hayward netted a game-high 25 points with Erika Livermore posting a double-double of 21 points and 13 boards in the win.

And Riders’ guard Alex Smith, who added seven points, nine rebounds and seven assists, believes the win will stand her side in good stead in their quest for The O2.

“Although it was not our best performance, it taught us a lot,” she declared.

“It taught us how to stay together even when the game gets close.

“It was great to see multiple players, Dee Hayward, Erika Livermore and Jamila Thompson step up and contribute in key moments.

“Credit to Barking, they were relentless and made us work for everything.”

Smith added of Riders’ Semi-Final opponents: “Sevenoaks are an extremely versatile and talented team.

“Therefore, we will have to be even better this upcoming weekend to earn a spot in the finals at The O2.”

 

Sheffield were the only road team to prevail in the Quarter-Finals after they secured an impressive 75-90 win away at Manchester Mystics.

The deadly trio of Helen Naylor, Steph Gandy and Georgia Gayle shared 63 points as the Hatters powered their way to victory with a 28-10 final quarter effort.

Georgia Jones had 23 points and 10 assists for the Mystics as the season came to an end for the Cup winners.

The league champions, Nottingham were the most convincing victors as they recorded a 77-46 win over Cardiff Met Archers with Ashley Harris and Siobhan Prior combining for 48 points for the hosts.

Harris also pulled down 13 rebounds for a strong double-double with the Archers led by 18 points from Judit Fritz.

The Wildcats host Sheffield next, while Leicester meet Sevenoaks in a repeat of the Trophy Final.