A five-game slate of Super League Basketball provided lot of excitement and legendary moments as Georgia Anderson made history while the Hatters’ unbeaten run came to an end in a dramatic weekend of SLB Championship action.
Cardiff Met Archers 53-94 Essex Rebels
The Essex Rebels claimed their second win of the season in dominant fashion, defeating the Cardiff Met Archers 94-53.
The Rebels took control of the game early, building a 15-point lead in the opening quarter on the back of their efficient transition play, and extended their advantage to 21 by halftime. The second half was once again dominated by the Rebels, who cruised to their second victory of the SLB Championship campaign.
Nat Chou stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists and five steals, finishing just one rebound shy of a double-double. Rhema Ogele tallied 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals, shooting an efficient 7-of-9 from the field, as three Essex players finished in double figures.
Meanwhile for the Archers, Amelia Scharpf recorded a 16-point, 11-rebound performance in the loss.
Player of the game: Rhema Ogele (Essex Rebels)
Oaklands Wolves 77-62 Nottingham Wildcats
The Oaklands Wolves took down the Nottingham Wildcats 77-62 at the Oaklands Sportszone in SLB Championship action.
Kalaya Buggs’ 17 points and Johannah Langbehn’s 16-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Wildcats were not enough to overcome the Wolves, who were led by Devon Brookshire’s game-high 23 points and five rebounds.
Both sides were evenly matched in the opening quarter, with the Wildcats taking a narrow lead into the second. However, the hosts responded strongly in the next period, locking in defensively and holding their opponents to just nine points to build a double-digit advantage at halftime. The Wolves then controlled the game comfortably in the second half, cruising to their second win of the campaign.
Player of the game: Devon Brookshire (Oaklands Wolves)
Newcastle Eagles 79-60 London Lions
The Newcastle Eagles dominated the London Lions 79-60 at the Vertu Arena to keep their perfect start going in SLB Championship.
The Eagles started the game strong, taking an early double-digit advantage and never took their foot off the gas in front of their home crowd. They put in a great collective performance to make it two wins out of two to start the season.
Despite her five turnovers, Andrea Daley delivered an outstanding performance, leading the Eagles with 25 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and six steals in a dominant double-double.
Mya Proctor (22) and Annika Shah (19) combined for 41 points for the Lions, their efforts fell short against Newcastle.
Player of the game: Andrea Daley (Newcastle Eagles)
Manchester Basketball 94-97 Leicester Riders
The Leicester Riders came back from a 24-points deficit to defeat Manchester Basketball 97-94 at the National Basketball Performance Centre.
The hosts dominated the first half and looked firmly on course for the win, but the Riders roared back after the break and completed an impressive turnaround by taking the lead in the fourth quarter.
Despite the frustrating loss, Manchester legend Georgia Anderson received a well-deserved recognition after becoming the All-time regular season leading points scorer in the SLB scoring charts, passing Cat Carr (2,433).
Katie Januszewska led the Riders with a team-high 22 points and six assists, while Jada Holland contributed for 17 points in the win. Meanwhile, Maaja Bratka (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Frannie Hottinger (17 points, 11 rebounds) both had a double-double but it wasn’t enough to hold onto the win.
Player of the game: Katie Januszewska (Leicester Riders)
Caledonia Gladiators 76-71 B. Braun Sheffield Hatters
The Caledonia Gladiators managed an dramatic 76-71 comeback win against the B. Braun Sheffield Hatters at the Playsport Arena, ending their unbeaten run.
Despite holding a 15-point lead, the unbeaten Sheffield Hatters faltered in the second half of the contest, coming up against an impressive and resilient Gladiators side in front of their home crowd.
Mathilde Domenger led all scorers from the bench for the Gladiators with 24 points, while Tierra Hodges delivered an impressive 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. Additionally, Anastasia Warren contributed for 22 points in the comeback win.
Megan Mullings’ 21-point, 10-rebounds double-double and Antoinette Lewis’ 20 points were not enough for the Hatters to remain unbeaten this season.
Player of the game: Tierra Hodges (Caledonia Gladiators)