Manchester Giants 72-86 Nottingham Wildcats
Manchester Giants starting five: Lauren Thomas-Johnson, Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus, Georgia Anderson, Myah Pace, Sydney Hunter
Nottingham Wildcats starting five: Valerie Cassidy De Falco, Abbey Whitehouse, Mari Stewart, Jessica Wayne, Brooke Bjelko
Nottingham Wildcats secure their first win of the 23-24 Women’s British Basketball League season, edging out the Manchester Giants, 72-86, on the road.
Snapping their 0-7 start to the season, the Wildcats post their first away victory since January. Despite closing in on the visitors in the final period, the Manchester Giants fall to 3-5.
First Half
The Wildcats put on a dominant display right from the tip-off.
Led by Valerie Cassidy De Falco’s impressive scoring, the Wildcats surged ahead.
Manchester’s Myah Pace and Sydney Hunter countered fiercely, amassing nearly all of the host’s opening 18 points.
Nevertheless, Nottingham’s dynamic array of scorers kept them on the front foot. Jessica Wayne nailed jump shots from around the key, while Brooke Bjelko and Mari Stewart excelled underneath the basket.
The visitors continued to run riot in the second quarter, posting 30 points, bringing their halftime advantage to 16 points.
Second Half
The second half saw Nottingham sustain their double-digit lead, with Wayne’s opening triple electrifying the Wildcats bench.
Cassidy De Falco raced by the Giants defence, bringing Nottingham’s lead to 20 points.
Manchester fought back, spearheaded by Georgia Anderson’s three-point accuracy and ability to draw fouls underneath.
Flustered, the Wildcats lead was reduced to six, after Leah McDerment’s timely layup in the fourth quarter motivated the trailing hosts.
Yet, Cassidy De Falco’s flawless free-throw shooting, going 10-11 from the line; 6-6 in the final minute of the game, secured Nottingham’s well-deserved victory.
Player of the Game
While Nottingham’s win included two double-double performances and four players landing in double-digit scoring, Mari Stewart emerged as the linchpin for the visitors. Posting 20 points, 13 rebounds, six steals, and a block, Stewart cemented the victory for the Wildcats.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Manchester Giants | Georgia Anderson | 17 | 2 | 2 |
| Manchester Giants | Myah Pace | 16 | 8 | 7 |
| Nottingham Wildcats | Valerie Cassidy De Falco | 28 | 3 | 5 |
| Nottingham Wildcats | Mari Stewart | 20 | 13 | 2 |
Caledonia Gladiators 81-38 Cardiff Met Archers
Caledonia Gladiators starting five: Samantha Roscoe, Hannah Robb, Sokhna Binton Lo Sylla, Laken James, Djeneba N’Diaye
Cardiff Met Archers starting five: Abigail Yunker, Molly James, Laura Shanahan, Jenna Hoschouer, Haylee Saurette
Caledonia Gladiators advance to 6-1 after a dominant 81-38 performance over Cardiff Met Archers. Caledonia have now logged four victories this season by a margin of at least 40 points.
First Half
Caledonia showcased their prowess early. Laken James hit first for the Gladiators, before a 13-0 blitz enabled the hosts to go comfortably in front.
Djeneba N’Diaye connected on three consecutive offences, appearing unstoppable.
Haylee Saurette snapped the Cardiff Met scoring drought, disrupting Caledonia’s run.
The Gladiators maintained their momentum, finishing the first quarter with a solid 19-10 lead.
Caledonia continued to impress into the second quarter, stifling Cardiff Met defensively and limiting them to five points.
Bolstering their advantage with multiple scoring runs, the hosts found themselves ahead by nearly 30 points, with N’Diaye surpassing double-digit points.
Second Half
The Archers initiated a comeback after the halftime break, led by Saurette and Laura Shanahan’s cohesive attacking efforts, resulting in a brief 5-0 run.
However, Caledonia’s sharp shooting, marked by four successful triples out of five attempts, ensure they maintained a comfortable lead as they moved into the final quarter.
The concluding quarter showcased Caledonia’s well-rounded dominance, with Ariadna Pujol’s defensive efforts converting into more points for the Gladiators.
Hannah Robb’s scoring spree, contributing 12 consecutive points, cemented Caledonia’s victory with an impressive 16-0 frenzy.
The game ended decisively in favour of Caledonia, adding to their undefeated home record.
Player of the Game
Djeneba N’Diaye earned Player of the Game honours in Caledonia’s defiant victory, producing 19 points, shooting an impressive 80% from the floor. Beyond scoring, N’Diaye grabbed four rebounds, facilitated with eight assists, and generated three steals, playing a pivotal role in Caledonia’s imposing victory.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Caledonia Gladiators | Djeneba N’Diaye | 19 | 4 | 8 |
| Caledonia Gladiators | Hannah Robb | 19 | 4 | 4 |
| Cardiff Met Archers | Haylee Saurette | 10 | 7 | 1 |
| Cardiff Met Archers | Abigail Yunker | 8 | 4 | 1 |