Two unbeaten records remain, and two more teams returned to winning ways on an action-packed Saturday night in the Super League Basketball Championship.
Let’s recap the action on a five-game night riddled with thrills.
Durham Palatinates 52-101 B.Braun Sheffield Hatters
Leaders B. Braun Sheffield Hatters sent a terrifying statement with a 101-52 hammering of Durham Palatinates in the North-East.
The Hatters remain top with five wins out of five, whereas Durham suffered just their second loss of the campaign and slipped out of the top four.
A 31-15 first quarter did the damage, with Sheffield leading from tip to buzzer, capped by a 24-5 fourth period, as the visitors’ intensity never altered, draining ten triples in a mesmerising display.
Shauna Harrison led the Hatters with 25 points, shooting 10/16 from the floor, including 5/8 from three-point land, supported by Laura Zolper’s double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, with six assists thrown in.
Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby played all 40 minutes for her double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, but the hosts were hampered by a lack of depth and going just 33% from the field, compared to 55% from their counterparts.
MVP: Laura Zolper (B.Braun Sheffield Hatters)
Essex Rebels 73-85 Oaklands Wolves
Oaklands Wolves made it four wins from four games as they came from behind to outlast the Essex Rebels 85-73 at the Essex Sports Arena.
Danielle McCray paced the Wolves with 25 points and nine rebounds as they fought back from 15 points down to turn the tide in the second half, out-scoring the home side 47-23 in that time.
Down 53-38 in the opening possessions of the third, Oaklands turned the screw to narrow matters with a 9-0 run, with McCray and Shanice Beckford-Norton doing the damage.
It motivated the visitors to eventually take their first lead of the game at 61-60 with 1:11 left in the third, thanks to a three from Sam Ashby, and from there, Oaklands never looked back.
Maria Blazejewski had 27 for the Rebels.
MVP: Danielle McCray (Oaklands Wolves)
Nottingham Wildcats 55-66 Leicester Riders
Leicester Riders snapped their two-game losing streak with a deserved 66-55 win on the road to Nottingham Wildcats.
For Ben Stanley, there will doubtless be relief that his side is back to winning ways after a dip in form following three wins from three to start the season. The Riders saw Julia Chandler and Kaia Harrison form an unstoppable duo that the Wildcats could not contend with.
Chandler led the Riders with 23 points and eight rebounds, with Harrison filling the statsheet up with 18 points, four rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Claire Jacobs amassed a game-high 29 points for Nottingham, with Erin Antosh posting a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
MVP: Kaia Harrison (Leicester Riders)
Manchester Basketball 84-72 Caledonia Gladiators
Manchester Basketball solidified the third spot in the SLB Women’s Championship as Davida Dale impressed in their 84-72 win over Caledonia Gladiators at Belle Vue.
Like Leicester, the perfect way to bounce back following two straight losses, Manchester led most of the contest, holding their Scottish counterparts to just 36% from the field.
Bride Kennedy-Hopoate led Manchester with a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds on 69% shooting, but the day belonged to Dale.
The American secured a triple-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists, constantly remaining patient on offence and picking her spots when required, going 4/7 from the field.
Hannah Robb led Caledonia with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
MVP: Davida Dale (Manchester Basketball)
Newcastle Eagles 99-53 London Lions
Newcastle Eagles are slowly climbing up the standings with a dominant 99-53 win over the London Lions on Tyneside to end the action-packed Saturday of action.
Taking an early double-digit lead after the first quarter, their lead peaking at 47, Newcastle never looked back, securing their second win of the season and with games in hand on the rest of the league.
Jada Guinn led Newcastle with 27 points as the hosts shot an impressive 50% from the floor at the half, leading 53-32, leading for 52% come the final buzzer.
Kian Omer-Jones led London with 12 points, who remain without a win this season.
MVP: Jada Guinn (Newcastle Eagles)