Riders keep pressure on Suns in title race.
WBBL Championship
Leicester Riders 82-59 Manchester Mystics (21-17, 44-28, 57-46)
Leicester Riders maintained their quest for the WBBL Championship title after defeating Manchester Mystics, on BBC Sport.
The recent Trophy winners keep up the pressure on Sevenoaks Suns and will need to do so again on Sunday.
Leading scorers – Hayward/Oliver 16, Winterburn 13 (Riders) – Jones 23, Bailey 17, Chaloner 6 (Mystics)
Turning point – The Riders made a 15-4 start to the second to take control, but the visitors battled back in the third and cut the gap to just four points at 48-44. However, a 9-0 response saw Leicester restore control and they powered their way to victory in the final period.
Key stat – Riders dominated inside with 44 points coming in the paint, whilst holding their opponents to 28% shooting from the field.
Game hero(es) – Dee Hayward handed out 5 assists to go with a joint team-high of 16 points with Trophy Final MVP Kate Oliver also finishing with 16 points in the win with both players shooting 7 of 12.