Riders record another chapter of history in landmark campaign
WBBL Play-Offs Semi-Final
Leicester Riders 71-64 Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters (18-26,38-39,49-47)
It’s turning into a spectacular season for Leicester Riders after they followed up winning the WBBL Trophy for the first time by booking a first trip to The O2 and a maiden WBBL Play-Off Final.
In a thrilling game against the inaugural winners, Riders came up with the goods down the game stretch to get the job done and now have their sights on a silverware double.
Leading scorers – Winterburn 17, Olver 15, McGarrachan 12 (Riders) Woods 20, Velkey 12, Gandy 10 (Hatters)
Turning point – Riders were trailing 33-39 shortly before half time and could have been in trouble had they not posted a 13-0 run either side of the interval.
Key stat – Hatters struggled badly from downtown, only making 3 of 14 and that hurt them.
Game heroes – Holly Winterburn showed why she was recently voted as the Molten WBBL Young Player of the Year with 17 points and 5 assists, while Kate Oliver garnered an all-action 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots.