EBL D1 Women’s: Ta’Yani Clark Dominates, Quarter Final Results

The EBL Division 1 playoffs (quarter finals), tipped off this weekend with it being a case of win or go home. Stakes are high, with every team wanting to make it through to the Final Fours weekend at the end of April in Manchester.

Playoff Quarter Final Results

Nottingham Wildcats vs. Team Northumbria
The Nottingham Wildcats’ season finished this weekend with a 79-73 loss in overtime against underdogs Northumbria. Ta’Yani Clark lead her team in every statisticaly category with a huge game of 49 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 7 steals. The second half saw Clark go head to head with the Wildcats’ Sabra Wrice. Ta’Yani was able to go coast to coast on a couple of occasions while Wrice nailing threes from a metre behind the three point line. No other Wildcat was able to make a shot near the end of the game leaving Wrice carrying the team for the final four minutes of the game (starters Caitlin Flood and Jess Hurd fouling out after playing limited minutes) finishing with 46. Thrilling game to watch!

UWIC Archers vs. Sevenoaks Suns
After their recent BUCS Championship victory, UWIC Archers advanced to the Final Four after a solid victory against the Sevenoaks Suns. UWIC opened the first quarter very strong, leading 27-14 at the break. Despite a comeback from Sevenoaks in the second, UWIC rolled on to win 99-68 behind a big performance from GB players Kate Butters (22) and Megan Hoffman (19). UWIC advance to play Northumbria in Manchester in two weeks.

Leeds Carnegie vs. Barking Abbey
Fourth seed Leeds were upset by Mark Clark’s Barking Abbey team, 84-67. Leeds lead after the first quarter, however were down by 11 by the half and were unable to regain the lead despite 17 from Hall and 13 from Tate. Natalie Strafford led all scorers with 24, continuing her dominance into the post season. Barking Abbey will make their first Final Four appearance.

City of Sheffield Hatters vs Brixton Topcats
The regular season champion Hatters knocked off the Brixton Topcats in their quarter final this weekend. The game was a rout, finishing 73-44, with Sheffield building their lead through-out the game. Barking couldn’t stop City of Sheffield’s Helen Naylor who finished with 28 points leading all the scorers and GB teammate Rosalee Mason added 14 points.

Final Fours

With the top two seeds through and two big upsets here is how the Women’s Final Fours are set up for Saturday 24th April at the Amaechi Centre.

12.00pm City of Sheffield Hatters vs. Barking Abbey

2.00pm UWIC Archers vs. Team Northumbria

Should be a great day of basketball with the men’s Final Fours following these games. The final takes place at 1.15pm on Sunday 25th April. You can buy your tickets (and see the full schedule) at the England Basketball Store.

What do you think?

Who’s your money on in Manchester?