University of Essex defeat Durham in OT to claim 2022 BUCS Women’s Championship

Image Credit: @BUCSSport

University of Essex came from behind to win their first ever BUCS basketball title, defeating Durham 73-67 in overtime on Wednesday afternoon, in Nottingham.

Trailing by 14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Essex reeled off a 12-0 run over the next five minutes to storm back into the contest, forcing OT on a Megan Haines layup with 20 seconds remaining in regulation as both sides featured several players from their WBBL squads.

In the extra period, Essex were accurate enough from the free throw line to fend off Durham, knocking down nine free throws to seal the win.

“I am so proud of these players to go undefeated and bring back a BUCS National Championship for the University is an amazing accomplishment,” Essex coach Tom Sadler told Hoopsfix. “We’ve worked so hard the past few years and to see that hard work pay off with a national title is a great feeling.

“Credit to Durham for playing a tremendous game, and was a great advert for women’s basketball in this country.”

Andrea Kohlhaas led Essex with 21 points, 11 rebounds and three assists to claim the MVP award, while Lucrezia Costa added 17 points and Claire Paxton posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

For Durham, Elle Hendershot led Durham with 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks, Shaniece Brown had 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Jessica Wayne added 13 points in defeat.

Box score.

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