Nikitinaite sends Sapphire into Hoopsfix Pro-Am title showdown with Ruby

Image credit: Hoopsfix

Team Sapphire and Team Ruby will go head-to-head in next week’s final of the 2023 Hoopsfix Pro-Am after coming through contrasting last four encounters.

GB’s Gabby Nikitinaite came up clutch for Sapphire with a game-winning and-1 to seal a 55-54 triumph over Emerald, while Ruby enjoyed a more comfortable 53-35 success against Diamond to open Week 4 action in Brixton.

Ruby raced out of the blocks in the opening semi-final with a 16-3 start setting the tone. Nuri Calderon had 13 of 16 points in the first half with Shanice Beckford-Norton helping pull the strings with seven points, five rebounds and seven assists in an all-round display.

The gap was as large as 26 points in the contest and there was no way back for Diamond, despite a team-high effort of 15 points from Beth Sarson.

Meanwhile, Emerald looked set to be joining Ruby in the final as they led by four inside the final minute of the second semi-final before a dramatic finish ensued. Nikitinaite had hit a couple of big triples in the fourth before converting a huge and-1 for the win after Emerald had missed the chance to ice the game at the other end.

Shequila Joseph added a near double-double for Sapphire with nine points and 10 rebounds with Jenelle Grant scoring 13 points, while Ire Ozzy-Momodu posted 12 points and 16 boards in defeat for Emerald.

Emerald and Diamond will meet to decide third place next week before Sapphire and Ruby clash for the title.

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