21 Apr 2018: Wolves 64-63 Pride

Oaklands Wolves are firmly in the Play-off race after beating rivals Caledonia Pride.

WBBL Championship

Oaklands Wolves 64 – 63 Caledonia Pride (18-20, 30-33, 46-42)

The chase for the WBBL Championship Play-offs remains wide open after Esther Vazquaz scored a late free-throw to see Oaklands Wolves beat Caledonia Pride 64-63, thereby leapfrogging them into seventh place.

The win sees Wolves – having snapped a five game losing streak – join Pride on a 6-12 record, with two games to go, although it will now go to the wire as Wolves have the head-to-head over Pride, but not the ninth-placed Cardiff Met Archers.

Leading scorers – Sarson 13, Pritchard 12, Harrison 11 (Wolves); Oakes 19, Thomson 15, Reynolds 12 (Pride)

Turning point – Momentum swung in this game, with Pride leading by eight in the second quarter, and Wolves by nine in the third. But it was destined to go all the way, and after Vazquaz fought for a defensive rebound with 22 seconds left she was fouled and, despite missing her first free-throw, held her nerve to make the second and put the hosts up by one. Robyn Lewis had a shot to win it on the buzzer, but couldn’t convert under intense defensive pressure.

Key stat – In a scrappy game with low shooting percentages, Wolves defended their basket ferociously, allowing Pride to shoot just 33% from the field despite giving up 19 offensive rebounds.

Game hero – Beth Sarson turned in a consistent performance for the hosts, shooting 100% from the field, including 3/3 three-pointers, to lead the team with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Box score.