The SLB Championship season wrapped up on Saturday, as the newly crowned champions fell to last season’s winners on the final day.
In the battle for third, Essex Rebels edged it from the Oaklands Wolves, despite both teams winning their respective games. Caledonia Gladiators had already secured second spot.
Essex Rebels 85-72 Manchester Basketball
Essex Rebels made sure of third place after they defeated Essex Rebels 85-72 at the Essex Sports Arena.
The Rebels blew the game open in the second period following a tightly-contested first ten minutes, going on an 8-0 run late in the half to pull ahead. Manchester, despite their best efforts, were unable to fight back and end their campaign in seventh spot.
Maria Blazejewski led the Rebels with 23 points and eight rebounds, with Maaja Bratka going for a game-high 27 points for Manchester.
Oaklands Wolves 71-65 B. Braun Sheffield Hatters
Despite Oaklands Wolves battling to a 71-65 victory over the new SLB Championship winners, B. Braun Sheffield Hatters, it wouldn’t be enough to grab third, as the outgoing champions settled for fourth.
Great Britain international Bo Guttormsdottir-Frost had 16 points for the Wolves, who had to claw their way back from a dreadful first quarter, where they trailed 33-13 to a determined Hatters side, who then lost their way, as they only put up 32 more points, with Oaklands regaining their focus when it counted.
Nina Krisper had a team-high 15 points, but Sheffield was hampered by committing 23 turnovers, with the Wolves scoring 12 points off those giveaways.
Nottingham Wildcats 86-94 London Lions
London Lions can head to the Play-Offs with momentum, having seen off the challenge of the Nottingham Wildcats 94-86 in the East Midlands.
The Lions shot an efficient 57% from the field as they outscored the Wildcats 30-22 in a pivotal second period, which proved the difference as Kyla Nelson’s side return to the postseason, having gone last season without a win in all competitions.
Jada Lewis paced the Lions with 27 points as they finished in sixth. Despite the loss, the Wildcats also return to the Play-Offs, as Johanna Langbehn led them with 20 points as they locked up eighth spot.
Newcastle Eagles 73-92 Caledonia Gladiators
The Caledonia Gladiators are this season’s runners-up as they finished their Championship campaign on a high with a 92-73 road win over the Newcastle Eagles.
Tierra Hodges amassed a game-high 26 points for the victors, as well as pulling down 10 boards for a double-double. Brynn Masikewich chipped in with 20 points.
Andrea Daley led Newcastle with 22 points, as the Tyneside outfit ends up in fifth.
Leicester Riders 70-66 Cardiff Met Archers
Leicester Riders finished their season on a positive note, with a slender 70-66 home triumph over the Cardiff Met Archers in the battle of the two sides that failed to reach the postseason.
Katie Januszewska led the Riders with 24 points as they can hold their heads high despite missing the boat for the Play-Offs.
Sheridan Flauger led all scorers for Cardiff with 27 points, and even though they battled hard all season, they finished the Championship with no wins in their 18 games.