Women’s BUCS Basketball Final 8’s Day 2 Recap

By Joe Pinchin | @jpincho22

Game 1 – Lower Bracket

LSBU beat Loughborough 72 – 49

LSBU were able to capitalise early off of Loughborough turnovers from their full-court press. Much like yesterday, Loughborough showed they could compete with the larger more athletic opposition, keeping the game closer throughout. The midlands team just could not sustain the level of LSBU with Josephine Maignomo causing many problems with her length inside, on her way to a 13 point performance. The London side came out of half time up by nine, mainly due to the play of Loughborough’s Naomi Campbell (who finished with a game high 22 points). London, however, immediately pushed this lead up to 17 following two missed lay-ups from Loughborough at the start the half and continued to build slowly on it as the game progressed.

Game 2 – Trophy Final

MMU Cheshire beat UWIC II 68 – 56

Despite great energy from the UWIC team, Cheshire took this game behind the clutch play of Jade Lucas who totaled a huge 28 points in the final. Anne Angenmeiner added 17 for the Manchester side whilst UWIC were led by Sarah Lewis’ 15 points.

Game 3 – Semi Final 1

Leeds Met routed Northumbria 101 – 42

Leeds Met opened up the first semi final game with a 14-0 run before Northumbria’s Ta’yani Clark took a little more control. She was however, limited to just 14 points, well below her season averages. Leeds’ progress did not slow as they went up 51-28 by the half. Feeding off the energetic play of Nicollette Fong Lyew Quee, who finished with 20 points, Leeds continued to push the ball for the remainder of the game. They executed their fast break offence well, leading to high percentage looks throughout the second half and Eszter Velkey converted well off of this, totaling 19 points. The game finished 101-42 and Leeds Met moved through to the final.

Game 4 – Lower Bracket

Oxford beat London Met 86-82

In a game that was close throughout, London were led by the guard play of London Met’s Vesela Marinova (totaling 20 points) however Lindsay Whorton was the difference maker in this game for Oxford. Whorton was relentless with her scoring, pouring in a huge 37 points, including six three point shots, whilst maintaining a small lead through to the final buzzer winning by four, 86-82.

Game 5 – Semi Final 2

UWIC beat Durham 73-64

The final game of the day saw three time champions UWIC match up against a very strong Durham team. Leah Rush’s presence was immediately felt for Durham, using her strength to get to the basket and finish strong. UWIC also looked to go to basket early as they fed Megan Hoffman, to go aggressively off the dribble. Rush was just too much, putting her team up 15-10 at the first break.

In the second quarter, GB point guard, Stef Collins came alive whilst trying to close the gap for UWIC. Draining two big threes and driving the ball hard, Collins finished the quarter with 14 points. Rush, however matched Collins’ intensity pouring in 13 points of her own to keep Durham ahead by one, 32-31, at the half.

A high scoring third quarter from Durham, thanks to ex-Jamaican international Kim Bennett and Spanish sensation Noelia Quintas left UWIC down by 11 going into the fourth quarter.

UWIC continued to calmly execute their offense well and Sarah Wagstaff made a point of going at the Durham’s defense to cause foul trouble early. Durham’s Leah Rush had been troubled by fouls, starting the fourth quarter carrying four. Despite playing very carefully, a very questionable call from one of the officials meant that Rush headed to the bench to watch her team for the remaining seven minutes of the game.

As Rush checked out, UWIC pounced. Hoffman drained a three and then made a tough post move to move with one of Durham, UWIC then calmly executed their offense whilst harassing Durham on defense. Without Rush on the floor UWIC looked in control for the remainder of the game and closed out a 73-64 over a very good Durham team. UWIC’s scoring was led by Hoffman, Collins and Wagstaff who totaled 20, 19 and 18 points respectively whilst Durham were lead by Rush and Quintas who had 24 and 12 points respectively. UWIC will now play Leeds Met in the BUCS Championship Final.

Sunday 20th March Schedule

9am – 7th/8th Playoff Game – Loughborough vs London Met
11am – 3rd/4th Playoff Game – Durham vs Northumbria
1pm – 5th/6th Playoff Game – LSBU vs Oxford
3pm – Women’s Final – UWIC vs Leeds Met Carnegie

Notes

• Leeds Met made 13 three points shots in their semi-final game against Northumbria.

• The call that fouled out Durham’s Leah Rush (and halted the momentum for Durham) was a terrible call from the officials, and he heard about it from the entire Durham’s Men’s team who were still pumped from their win over LSBU.

• The UWIC v Durham game was a great advertisement for the Women’s game, some really high level basketball from both teams and really exciting to watch.
• Noelia Quintas for Durham throws some incredible passes

What do you think of the second day of results? Predictions for today? Drop a comment!