Oaklands Wolves remain at the summit of the SLB Championship standings in a three-game slate, with Leicester Riders and Essex Rebels strengthening their post-season credentials.

Essex Rebels’ home game with B. Braun Sheffield Hatters on Saturday was postponed.

Leicester Riders 80-57 London Lions

Leicester Riders bounced back from their two-game losing run to beat London Lions 80-57 at Loughborough University on Saturday.

A 23-9 first quarter ultimately sealed the win for the Riders, but despite their sizeable cushion, which peaked at 28 points, they came up against a Lions team that battled despite the disadvantage.

London only had seven players but enjoyed solid spells in the contest. Still, Leicester’s depth, strength at all positions ultimately proved too much.

Katie Januszewska led Riders with 18 points, shooting 5/10 from the field and connecting on all six of her free throws. Shaelynne Sanchez-Czerniecki supported with 14 points and six rebounds, as Leicester shot 41% from the floor.

Monique Esbrand led London with 19 points, going 7/12 from the field, and Macy Spinks added 12, playing all 40 minutes.

MVP: Katie Januszewska (Leicester Riders)

Oaklands Wolves 85-59 Newcastle Eagles

A strong second half lifted Oaklands Wolves to an 85-59 victory over Newcastle Eagles at Oaklands College as they continue their reign at the top of the SLB standings.

The Wolves’ big win though certainly was a long way off at the end of the half, with neither side able to shake the other off, and Oaklands holding a slender 39-34 lead going into the third quarter.

Coming out into the second half, Oaklands progressed with an 8-2 start to take their lead to 47-36 three minutes in and from there, the hosts never let go off the gas pedal, holding Newcastle to just 12 points in the third and 25 in the second half overall.

Danielle McCray led five Wolves players in double figures with 20 points on 10/16 shooting, with Sam Ashby enjoying some triple-double window-shopping with 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. 

Jada Guinn led Eagles with 25 points.

MVP: Sam Ashby (Oaklands Wolves)

Nottingham Wildcats 87-109 Essex Rebels

Essex Rebels overcame the Nottingham Wildcats in a thrilling shootout 109-87 where Claire Jacobs and Daniella Turner stole the show.

Despite Jacobs going for a game-high 34 points for the Wildcats, she would be outgunned by Turner’s 31 for Essex along with Maria Blazejewski’s 25, just two of the Rebels’ four players who registered in double figures.

Nottingham though started brightly and jumped out to a 32-24 lead after one, but from there, the Rebels regrouped and shot 49% from the floor, while hitting 14 triples in the game to register the win.

MVP: Daniella Turner (Essex Rebels)