A quieter three-game Saturday slate of Super League Basketball didn’t disappoint, with plenty of high-quality action on display during Remembrance weekend.
Two teams picked up their first wins in the SLB Championship, whilst one player provided fans with arguably the best performance this campaign.
Nottingham Wildcats 66-88 Manchester Basketball
Manchester Basketball picked up their first victory in the Super League Basketball Championship, defeating Nottingham Wildcats 88-66.
Despite an efficient 23-point, 10-rebound double-double from Tiarna Chambers-Desmond and 22 from Jo Langbehn, no other Wildcat scored more than six points, meaning a more well-rounded scoring performance from Manchester was rewarded with a win.
After a back-and-forth first quarter and a half, Manchester slowly began to build a lead, but there were still just seven points separating the sides heading into the fourth.
However, the visitors managed to pull away in the latter stages in what ended up being a resounding victory.
Maaja Bratka stuffed the statsheet with 20 points, five boards, five assists, two steals and three blocks, whilst Frannie Hottinger and Irene Oboavwoduo poured in 17 apiece.
Player of the game: Maaja Bratka (Manchester Basketball)
Oaklands Wolves 93-71 London Lions
Oaklands Wolves were also victorious for the first time in the Championship this season, with a 93-71 triumph over the London Lions.
A dominant first quarter for the Wolves, who outscored London 26-7, set the tone for the rest of the contest, and Oaklands never trailed for the entirety of the afternoon whilst also shooting an impressive 10-for-18 from downtown.
Danielle McCray led the way for the home team, scoring 20 points on 69% shooting, and there were four other Wolves who hit double-figure scoring tallies.
Meanwhile for the Lions, Annika Shah, despite having seven turnovers, put up a game-high 29 points, and Mya Proctor added 17.
Player of the game: Danielle McCray (Oaklands Wolves)
Leicester Riders 58-79 B.Braun Sheffield Hatters
Megan Mullings produced one of the performances of the season to help B.Braun Sheffield Hatters maintain their unbeaten start, defeating Leicester Riders 79-58.
Mullings posted an incredible double-double, scoring 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting and grabbing 16 rebounds, seven of which were offensive. It meant she finished with an index score of 43, the highest of the season in all competitions so far.
The game was dominated by Sheffield, who won all four quarters and trailed only in the first five minutes, and it means they remain as the only undefeated side across the Championship and the Trophy.
For Leicester, Jada Holland had 20 points in what was a difficult night on the offensive end.
Player of the game: Megan Mullings (B.Braun Sheffield Hatters)