Cardiff Met Archers 55-79 Oaklands Wolves
Cardiff Met Archers starting five: Abigail Yunker, Laura Shanahan, Mandi Kawaha, Jenna Hoschouer, Haylee Saurette.
Oaklands Wolves starting five: Caterrion Thompson, Beth Sarson, Shaquera Wade, Amy West, Allison Day.
The Cardiff Met Archers and Oaklands Wolves delivered an intense first half in the 2023/24 Women’s British Basketball League opener.
In the first quarter, Oaklands applied strong full-court pressure but the Archers’ Haylee Saurette scored the season’s first three-pointer. Mandi Kawaha added points for Cardiff Met. Oaklands briefly led but back-and-forth action concluded the quarter at 7-11 in favour of the Wolves.
The second quarter saw Cardiff Met tie the game with a 4-0 run and their full-court press. Oaklands increased their defensive intensity, leading to steals and a 16-11 advantage. The Archers responded with back-to-back threes, regaining the lead. Oaklands led 31-27 at halftime.
In the second half, the Archers struck first with a steal and score by Yunker. Oaklands, however, remained deadly from three-point range, extending their lead to 29-43.
It was a high-scoring exchange with Saurette leading the Archers while Thompson and Day contributed heavily for the Wolves. Jorjah Smith added seven points for Oaklands, building an almost insurmountable lead.
Entering the final quarter, Oaklands had a 39-56 advantage. Thompson’s second three-pointer maintained their lead as she edged nearer a double-double performance.
The Archers remained determined on the offensive front, attempting to cut into the Oaklands lead.
Miriam Carrasco-Menendez closed out the game with multiple scores to her name as Oaklands secured a strong start to their 2023/24 season with a convincing victory on the road.
Oaklands’ sharpshooting, going 38% from deep, and balanced scoring led to their dominant win. The Archers put up a fight but couldn’t match Oaklands’ three-point prowess, making the final score 55-79 in favour of the Wolves.
Player of the Game:
Caterrion Thompson’s outstanding performance makes her the clear choice for Player of the Game. She recorded just shy of a triple double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, displaying her scoring and playmaking abilities. Thompson’s well-rounded performance played a crucial role in Oaklands’ first victory of the season.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Cardiff Met Archers | Haylee Saurette | 14 | 8 | 2 |
| Cardiff Met Archers | Mandi Kawaha | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Oaklands Wolves | Catterion Thompson | 18 | 11 | 6 |
| Oaklands Wolves | Allison Day | 11 | 14 | 3 |
Essex Rebels 73-101 London Lions
Essex Rebels starting five: Claire Paxton, Renee Busch, Katherine Tudor, Dayzsha Rogan, Darcy Rees.
London Lions starting five: Ivana Katanić, Shanice Beckford-Norton, Katsiaryna Snytsina, Holly Winterburn, Savannah Wilkinson.
In a much-anticipated clash, the Essex Rebels hosted the reigning Women’s British Basketball League Champions, the London Lions.
Shanice Beckford-Norton made a swift impact for the Lions, opening the scoring with an easy layup after an interception. The visitors increased their lead with quick scoring from beyond the arc.
Despite the Lions’ strong performance, the Rebels remained unwaveringly competitive, thanks to Paxton and Dayzsha Rogan’s three-point shooting. However, Katsiaryna Snytsina and Temi Fagbenle’s teamwork extended London’s lead to double digits by the end of the first quarter, 16-26.
The Rebels started the second quarter well with a 7-2 run, led by Paxton. Rogan’s double-digit points kept the Rebels in the game. Ivana Katanić extended the Lions’ lead with back-to-back baskets, while Katherine Tudor responded with her own scoring clinic. At halftime, the Lions held a 37-52 lead.
In the third quarter, London exhibited pure dominance, resulting in the highest-scoring period of the game. Young recruit Faye Endean ignited the scoring for the Lions.
Snytsina maintained impressive scoring efficiency, going perfect inside and making three of five attempts from beyond the arc, matching Holly Winterburn, who had a terrific 13 points to go with nine rebounds, six assists, and five steals. The Rebels struggled against London’s formidable defence, with Rogan and Darcy Rees contributing all 12 of Essex’s third-quarter points.
Entering the final quarter, the Lions held a commanding 49-80 lead.
The Rebels staged a valiant comeback in this period, outscoring the Lions 24-21. Renee Busch demonstrated her scoring abilities with consecutive baskets, while Katherine Tudor displayed grit with several tough solo plays.
Despite the Rebels’ determined response, the Lions had already secured a remarkable victory. Savannah Wilkinson’s clutch and-one play in the final minute pushed London past the 100-point mark, capping off their first win of the 2023/24 season in style.
Player of the Game:
Katsiaryna Snytsina’s exceptional performance earned her the Player of the Game accolade. As a seasoned shooting professional, she provided a scoring masterclass with 17 points, shooting 100% from two-point range, 60% from three-point land, while also contributing seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks, playing a pivotal role London’s tremendous victory.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Essex Rebels | Dayzsha Rogan | 17 | 4 | 3 |
| Essex Rebels | Darcy Rees | 13 | 13 | 1 |
| London Lions | Katsiaryna Snytsina | 17 | 7 | 4 |
| London Lions | Holly Winterburn | 13 | 9 | 6 |
Leicester Riders 92-65 Manchester Giants
Leicester Riders starting five: Taylor O’Brien, Rayven Peeples, Shahd Abboud, Marissa Hamilton, Mckenzie Johnston.
Manchester Giants starting five: Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus, Idil Turk, Myah Pace, Hannah Shaw, Emilie Black.
Leicester Riders hosted the Manchester Giants this evening in an intense basketball showdown, and it was a first half filled with back-and-forth action.
In the opening quarter, the Riders were initially under some pressure as the Giants, led by Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus, managed to secure a slight lead with a score of 20-24.
However, the second quarter saw a shift in momentum as Leicester mounted a comeback. Katie Januszewska played a pivotal role with some early buckets, including a clutch three-pointer that allowed the Riders to regain the lead.
Rayven Peeples was a dominant force for Leicester, making her presence felt on both ends of the court, finishing with 18 points, ten rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
Taylor O’Brien also contributed significantly with 16 points and 12 rebounds, helping to keep the Riders in the game. The first half ended in a thrilling tie, with both teams locked at 40-40.
In the third quarter of the game, the Riders mounted a determined comeback. O’Brien and Peeples showed remarkable composure under pressure, continuously adding points to their team’s tally and increasing their lead.
At the same time, Emilie Black kickstarted the scoring for the Giants by racking up six points in a flash.
Leicester’s momentum carried into the fourth quarter, as their scoring spree continued, steadily widening their lead and showing no signs of backing down.
Despite some noteworthy plays from the Giants, particularly courtesy of McAlear-Fanus and Idil Turk, the Riders’ dominance in the latter part of the game proved to be an overwhelming hurdle.
Ultimately, the Leicester Riders emerged victorious with an impressive final score of 92-65, showcasing their ability to take control of the game during the second half and decisively pull ahead.
Player of the Game
Rayven Peeples and O’Brien were instrumental in the Riders’ success, each delivering standout performances, and their collective effort, combining for 34 points and 22 rebounds, paved the way for this remarkable triumph. But with an additional five assists and two blocks to her name, Rayven Peeples was the talisman in this great game.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Leicester Riders | Rayven Peeples | 18 | 10 | 5 |
| Leicester Riders | Taylor O’Brien | 16 | 12 | 2 |
| Manchester Giants | Idil Black | 9 | 2 | 8 |
| Manchester Giants | Myah Pace | 13 | 4 | 1 |
With the new season here, you can get your British Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube channel to relive all of the best moments from the season so far.