Maiden breakthrough for Palatinates, while Riders take to the summit

Durham Palatinates made history on Sunday evening as they recorded their first-ever win in the WBBL.

Cierra Caezar led the way with 26 points and nine rebounds in a 54-63 success on the road against BA London Lions.

 

And, Great Britain guard Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee expressed her delight at the victory, whilst looking to continue that winning feeling.

“The whole team is ecstatic,” she declared after contributing a line of 13-5-5. “And after a challenging start to the season, I’m proud of each of the girls for being persistent to get Durham’s first WBBL win.

“Despite it taking a little pressure off now, we are not satisfied and are motivated to catch some more wins.”

There are new leaders at the top of the WBBL Championship after Leicester Riders handed Sevenoaks Suns their first league loss with a 61-65 victory on the road.

Kate Oliver top scored with 18 points in the win with Alex Smith and Dee Hayward also in double figures with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

“It was a really competitive game today,” said Riders head coach, Krumesh Patel.

“Sevenoaks are tough and made it difficult for us throughout the game, however we were able to disrupt them also. We stuck to our game plan despite their pressure and kept playing through the physical style the Suns are able to play.

“It took a full 40-minute performance from our players to come out with the victory and was great for the team to achieve.”

Ashley Harris posted 24 points and 21 rebounds to lead Nottingham Wildcats to a 74-55 success against Caledonia Pride – in a repeat of last month’s Cup Final – having also netted 23 points in her side’s 74-48 victory over Cardiff Met Archers 24 hours earlier.

 

It was a second loss on the road on the weekend for Pride having also been beaten 86-55 away at Manchester Mystics as Rheanne Bailey netted 22 points.

Elsewhere, Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters ended Oaklands Wolves’ winning run with a 65-73 triumph on Sunday with Cardiff bouncing back from Saturday’s loss as they beat Team Northumbria 59-65 behind 22 points and 13 boards from Christina Schnorr.

 

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