WBBL Championship
Manchester Met Mystics 59 – 80 Sevenoaks Suns (19-17, 33-40, 45-69)
(Mystics: Keltos, 21; McDerment/Sanchez Czerniecki, 10; Robinson, 8 – Suns: Bradshaw, 21; Busch, 19; Hodges, 12)
Sevenoaks Suns added their fifth win in a row after securing a 59-80 victory past Manchester Met Mystics.
Araion Bradshaw’s sweeping tally of 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, and six steals ensured the visitors the win.
Though coming up short of the win, Mystics forward Samantha Keltos notched 21 points – her third straight 20+ points performance.
Keltos got the ball rolling for the Mystics early on, getting two early layups, while also rejecting a Sevenoaks effort inside, going 4-0 up.
Despite an early brace for Manchester Met, Suns turned up the energy beginning with some rampant Bradshaw defence.
Disrupting the flow of Mystics’ attack, Bradshaw’s defence set the tone for the Suns counter-attack – Bradshaw and Janice Monakana getting to the basket with ease.
With Suns forward Julia Koppl doing a great job of shielding Keltos – Manchester Met’s leading scorer – the Mystics looked to Leah McDerment for points.
McDerment rose to the challenge, manoeuvring herself well to get to the top of the key for scoring chances, converting a few in succession.
Sevenoaks’ barrage of shooters, however, posed a significant challenge to the Mystics defence, with Renee Busch able to find her shooting rhythm around the perimeter.
Sevenoaks burst into action to start the second quarter, with Bradshaw continuing her menacing defence to force turnovers for Manchester Met.
Suns began to pull away as their ball movement worked Manchester Met’s defence tirelessly.
Brittany Hodges and Koppl worked well inside for the Suns as halftime approached, combining effectively with Shambria Washington to provide Sevenoaks a handful of points.
McDerment continued to free up space for midrange jumpers, sinking one just before time expired to end the first half – Suns in front by seven, 33-40.
Sevenoaks thrived in the third quarter, capitalising on fast break opportunities numerous times.
Able to convert five triples, the Suns edged ahead more and more, with Bradshaw supplying consecutive buckets as the visitors cruised to a 14-2 run – finishing the quarter with a 45-69 cushion over the Mystics.
Keltos reacted with a pair of nicely worked baskets, but the Suns established a strong double-digit advantage heading into the final period.
Despite Sevenoaks wielding a firm grip on the game, Manchester Met played intensely to win the concluding period.
Keltos added more points to her name, surpassing 20 personal, while an energetic drive to basket saw McDerment increase her scoring tally.
A deserving victory for the travelling Sevenoaks Suns, who extended their stellar away game record, recording their fourth consecutive road win – seven wins in total all season.
As for Manchester Met, they fall to 10 defeats as they continue to search for a win and move up the standings.
View the WBBL Championship standings HERE.