WBBL Championship

Sheffield Hatters 97-43 Durham Palatinates (23-9, 45-21, 71-38)
(Hatters: Murphy, 29; Naylor, 25; Fairley, 14 — Palatinates: Bautista-Villaverde/Chukwu-Etu, 12; Wayne, 8; Patchesa, 3)

Sheffield Hatters saw off the challenge of the Durham Palatinates with a 97-43 victory at the All Saints Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.

After winning their first game in the WBBL Cup the previous day, Durham came crashing down to earth in south Yorkshire against an experienced Hatters unit that suffocated their visitors from the start, leading 23-9 and never looking back.

Karly Murphy dominated for the winners, leading the way with a monster double-double of 29 points and 20 rebounds.

Veteran Helen Naylor added a double-double of her own, scoring 25 points and pulling down 12 rebounds for Sheffield.

After winning their season opener in the Cup against Manchester Met Mystics, shooting a respectable 46% from the field, the Palatinates struggled in Sheffield, only going 23%.

Inma Bautista-Villaverde and Orieoma Chukwu-Etu had 12 points each for Durham.

Sheffield got off to a hot start due to outstanding team basketball and good looks inside, whereas Durham looked to settle for outside shots.

The Palatinates’ strategy wasn’t working, as they started the game just 1/13 from the field.

On the contrary, Sheffield shot 46% from the field in the first quarter, using their strong inside presence to lead 23-9 after one.

Durham finally found their rhythm in the second with a score from Jessica Wayne, followed by a three from Bautista, reducing the deficit to 23-14 within the first minute.

But Sheffield found their higher gear once more. An 11-0 run, led by the duo of Naylor and Murphy, restored the hosts’ double-digit cushion.

Bautista hit her second triple to stop the drought, but Durham were battered by the Hatters’ run, which spanned more than six minutes, giving Sheffield a 45-21 advantage at the half.

And the hosts’ lead grew as three straight buckets in transition off three turnovers from Durham extended Sheffield’s lead to 51-21 less than a minute into the third.

Against a tiring Durham side, the Hatters were able to score at will on the fast break, as they took a commanding 71-38 lead into the final period with a 22-3 run spanning nine minutes of the fourth further sealing the deal.