Alyesha Lovett has spoken of her joy at helping Nottingham Wildcats end their losing record in WBBL Finals.
The American put up 18 points including the game-clinching free throws in the dying seconds to secure a 70-66 triumph in the WBBL Cup Final against Caledonia Pride.
? @NottmWildcats are the 2018 Cup champions after edging out @Caledonia_Pride 70-66 in front of a record WBBL crowd!#BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/8GH3tT6RAK
— WBBL (@WBBLofficial) January 28, 2018
“The last couple of years not winning, the team really wanted this, I really wanted to win,” she said.
“It feels great to have done it and it’s really amazing.
“We talked about coming together and having everyone step up and I’m really proud of everyone – we had so many amazing contributions.
“We’ve worked a lot on our free throws and it was good to see that pay off today, too.”
Caledonia Pride were making history in their first WBBL Final in just their second season and they proved they were not there to make up the numbers.
Hannah Robb’s triple put Pride ahead early in the second and though they would not lead in the second half, they pushed Nottingham all the way in a close battle.
“They played amazing,” declared Lovett. “They did a great job when we made mistakes and they made us do things we don’t usually do and made it a great game.
“At the end of the game, they really pushed us, but we persevered and were able to get the win.”
Ashley Harris was named MVP with 19 points and 9 rebounds with Onayssa Sbahi an honourable mention with 14 assists – the most in any men’s or women’s Cup Final.
Play of the half from @NottmWildcats‘ S’Bahi – one of 9 assists so far!!#BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/bwWQzl4WtH
— WBBL (@WBBLofficial) January 28, 2018
#BritishBasketball