Cardiff Met Archers beat Essex Rebels to record their maiden Championship victory of the season.
WBBL Championship
Essex Rebels 67-73 Cardiff Met Archers (18-23, 30-42, 47-56)
Cardiff Met Archers earned their first Championship points of the season with a 67-73 victory on the road against Essex Rebels.
Both sides entered the contest having yet to taste victory, but it was the visitors who managed to break their duck. Essex’s wait for a first win at the WBBL level continues, as the side falls to an early season record of 0-3. Meanwhile, Cardiff jump up to eighth position alongside Durham Palatinates.
Leading scorers – Jessy Ward/Cat Lutz 22, DeAngelique Waithe 12 (Rebels); Beth Jones 16, Justine Ferland 12, Paulina Kutycka 11 (Archers)
Turning point – The Archers found their range mid-way through the second quarter, netting three triples in a row as part of a 10-0 run that saw the visitors steal the game’s momentum. Despite the home team’s best efforts, Essex could never fully close the gap.
Key stat – Cardiff’s bench proved pivotal, contributing 28 points for the visitors. Conversely, Essex’s reserves could only manage eight points.
Game hero(es) – Beth Jones netted a team-high 16 points, shooting a perfect 6/6 from the field in just 12 minutes. Justine Ferland also impressed with 12 points and 10 rebounds.