READING, SHEFFIELD ARE EBL CHAMPIONS
Reading Rockets repeated their National Trophy final victory against Leeds Carnegie to collect their second EBL play-off title in three years on Sunday with an 88-63 win.
And it was a balanced scoring effort from the victors which saw Robbie Parker lead five Rockets in double figures with 19 points.
Leeds trailed 50-34 at half-time and although they rallied to within nine in the third period, Jon May beat the buzzer to put the Rockets went into the final break 66-51 ahead.
And a 15-6 start to the fourth effectively sealed the title as Reading cruised home.
"I think the final showed just how far we have come this season and I really felt everything that we had been working on came together at exactly the right time," Rockets coach coach Samit Nuruzade said.
We really executed well offensively, arguably the best we have all season, and we also shot the ball really well. Defensively, we continued to do what we have done all year and I think our preparation and desire and hunger at the defensive end really showed through once again today and that is a record I am extremely proud of.
"For a first season as a senior head coach I am obviously ecstatic with what we have achieved but we will continue to work hard over the summer to educate ourselves and at developing our young players – something I hope will be prominent in this club for many more years to come."
Zoltan Supola led Leeds with 22 points.
Hatters extend their monopoly
Great Britain international Stephanie Gandy led the way as Sheffield Hatters completed their ninth EBL women’s treble with a comfortable 91-69 victory against UWIC Archers.
Gandy finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds, claiming the MVP prize, as Hatters never looked back after outscoring the Welsh side 28-15 in the opening period.
The Division One champions surged 47-31 ahead by half-time and steadily increased their cushion.
Down 65-45 at the close of the third, Sarah Wagstaff polished off a run with a three-point play which cut the Archers' deficit to 11.
That was as close as UWIC would come as Vanessa Ellis’ side pulled decisively clear.
OJ Reed hit a game-high 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, five steals and four assists to lead Medway Park Crusaders to the Division Two Men's play-off title.
However the Kent side had to battle to take a thrilling 75-72 win over Westminster Warriors as Luke Baker’s potential game-leveller in the closing seconds hit the rim.
Lekan Popoola led the Warriors with 18.
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