An extra period was needed to separate the closely matched Caledonia Pride and Manchester Mystics.
WBBL Championship
Caledonia Pride 73 – 75 Manchester Mystics (22-18, 34-37, 49-55, 68-68)
After overtime.
Rheanne Bailey led Manchester Mystics to a thrilling 75-73 overtime win on the road at Caledonia Pride, as they overturned a six point deficit in the final two minutes.
It was Mystics’ first win in three games, and first win over Pride in the last three meetings, and meant that they retained their top four spot in the WBBL Championship table, holding off their sixth-placed hosts in the process.
Leading scorers – Oakes 17, Mackie 13, Lewis 10 (Pride); Bailey 28, Thomas-Johnson 23, Allen 11 (Mystics)
Turning point – Mystics were on the wrong end of a big run early in the fourth quarter, and trailed 68-62 heading into the final two minutes, before Lauren Thomas-Johnson scored four in a 6-0 close to force overtime. Once in the extra period, Mystics looked to their defence as they didn’t allow their hosts to score from open play in the entire five minute spell, while Rheanne Bailey put them in front for good with consecutive baskets to make the lead 73-70.
Key stat – Mystics fought hard for this win as, despite shooting just 33% from the field, they scored 21 points from the 16 turnovers that they forced, and 17 points from their 22 offensive rebounds – totalling 38 points, more than half of their total.
Game hero – Rheanne Bailey led the way with 28 points, five rebounds and four blocks, including important scores at important times. Mystics had trailed by double-digits early on until Bailey scored 14 in a row in a 17-3 surge just before half time, setting them up for her late overtime heroics.