Women’s EBL Final Fours: UWIC and Sheffield in the Final

The EBL Division 1 Women’s Final Fours tipped off yesterday, with the final four teams left standing in the country going up against each other for a place in the final today at the Amaechi Centre in Manchester .

EBL Women’s Division 1 Final Fours-Playoff Quarter Finals

Sheffield Hatters vs. Barking Abbey
Sheffield secured themselves a place in yet another National Final after a tight win over the team from Barking, after a very closely fought game. Hatters however, didn’t look like they were firing on all cylinders.

After opening a double digit lead in the first half, primarily behind the play of GB teammates Rosalee Mason and Helen Naylor (combining for 37 points), Sheffield left the door open for Barking to fight their way back into the game. Player of the year, Natalie Stafford led the charge for Barking pulling the game within 2 on the way to scoring 24 points (but also filling the box score with 4 steals, 3 assists and 2 rebounds).

Mason was big in the fourth; scoring seven of the Hatters eleven points. Lisa Hutchinson, who struggled from the floor offensively, added defense and play making (5 steals, 6 boards and 4 dimes) keeping a narrow lead for Sheffield and ultimately it was her free throw in the dying seconds that sealed the game for the Hatters and ended a very positive season for Barking Abbey.

Final score: Sheffield Hatters 62 – Barking Abbey 59

You can see the FIBA Live Stats from the game here.

UWIC Archers vs. Northumbria

UWIC defeated the northern side to advance and set up a repeat of last years final against defending champions Sheffield.

UWIC opened up the scoring and after brief moment following Ta’Yani Clarks three point shooting ability, led the rest of the way. Damien Jennings’ side rotated well, keeping the pressure on Northumbria. Four UWIC players finished in double figures and almost all the entire roster played double digit minutes, showing just how deep the Welsh side are. By the half UWIC were up by 16.

Kate Butters led the Welsh side, with 17 points, as they pushed the lead up to 23 in the fourth quarter. Northumbria didn’t give up, continuing to fight back with an 8-0 run in the fourth behind Ta’Yani Clark who led all scorers, and led her team in every category with 32 points, a HUGE 19 rebounds (against international bigs), 4 assists and 3 steals.

Clarks efforts were not enough and UWIC closed out the game for a comfortable win and will look more rested than Sheffield in tomorrow’s match up having run their bench (however stacked it is) for large periods of the game.

Final score: UWIC Archers 76 – Northumbria 55

You can see the FIBA Live Stats from the game here.

EBL Women’s Division 1 Final

That sets up the women’s final between UWIC Archers and Sheffield Hatters to be played today up in Manchester. Who do you think is gonna take it?