WNBL1 recap: Week 17 (5/6 February 2022) - live streams, stats and more

It was a wild one across D1W in week 17, with the title race being given new life as CoLA suffered their first defeat of the season.

Ipswich knocked off the undefeated leaders, leaving Loughborough and Thames Valley with renewed hope of catching the London side before season's end.

There's a recap of all the action below, and each result is also clickable if you wish to view the live stats.

Ipswich (8-4) 70-65 CoLA Southwark Pride (12-1)

Reigning D1W champs Ipswich handed CoLA Southwark Pride their first defeat of the season this weekend, winning 70-65.

A contest-defining third period went the way of the hosts 26-17, erasing what had been a 31-26 deficit at half time. That left Ipswich with their noses in front 52-48 going into the final quarter, a position they'd eventually convert into the win.

Olivia Forster played the full 40 for the Ipswich, closing with 18 points, six boards and four assists, as Cameron Taylor-Willis (22pts, 11reb, 3ast, 2blk) and Yassin Belle-Mbaye (7pts, 11reb, 4ast) both played valuable roles in support.

CoLA's Emily O'Connell was absolutely everywhere in the contest and will no doubt be devastated to have come out on the losing side after contributing 23 points, 16 rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block.

Neither team found much of a spark from the bench in this one, combining for just 13 points, leaving the starters to carry the load.

Defeat for CoLA means that Thames Valley and Loughborough are now just one defeat behind the current leaders, and coach Gibbons' side are scheduled to play both those teams in the final two games of the regular season.

Elsewhere this weekend

London Lions II (1-13) chances of survival in D1W were dealt another blow as they went down 81-67 against Cardiff Met Archers II (6-7).

The visitors were powered by a stunning 14 point, 10 rebound, 10 assists, 10 steal quadruple-double from Amber Deane as Carys Roy top scored with 22 points.

It didn't get any better for the Lions 24 hours later as they were beaten once again, losing 57-55 against Thames Valley Cavaliers (9-2).

It was a heart-breaker for the London side as they went scoreless for the final 3:32 of the game to allow the Cavs the opportunity to sneak ahead and win their eighth contest in a row.

Kat Goldsby scored a team-high 17 points for the hosts, including the last three free throws to ice the game, whilst London's Ruchae Walton had 23 points and Fatmata Janneh added a 15 point, 12 rebound double-double in defeat.

Bristol Flyers (6-10) had a mixed weekend, with the highlight coming on Sunday as they went on the road and beat Ipswich 86-76.

Mai Zilbeti (26pts, 7stl) and Leila Jepson (24pts,6stl) played well at both ends for the Flyers, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the process as Ipswich suffered a rapid come down from Saturday's victory over CoLA.

It wasn't all good news for Bristol though as they started their weekend with a 67-61 loss against Anglia Ruskin University (8-3).

Like fellow strugglers London Lions II, Nottingham Trent University (1-12) also played hard this weekend with no reward as they dropped a close one against Team Solent Kestrels (7-6), losing 67-60.

It was NTU's fifth loss this season by single digits, a tough pill to swallow for a team now six points from potential safety in D1W.

Finally, Loughborough Riders (10-2) took full advantage of CoLA's slip as they beat Reading Rockets (4-8) 75-66.

The Riders got contributions from everywhere in this one, with Katie Januszewska (14pts, 8reb), Erin Hikin (12pts), Alex Shaw (10pts), Alia El Shabrawy (9pts, 8reb, 6ast), Eimhear Morris (8pts, 14reb) and Robyn Ainge (7pts, 8reb, 7ast) all sharing a rather sizable spotlight.

Gaila Comesana (12pts, 7reb) was the standout for Reading as the Rockets are now four points off the playoff places. 

This weekend's results:

Saturday 5 February 

2pm - London Lions II 67-81 Cardiff Met Archers II - LIVE STATS

3:30pm - Ipswich 70-65 CoLA Southwark Pride - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

4pm - Anglia Ruskin University 67-71 Bristol Flyers

Sunday 6 February

1pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 57-55 London Lions II - LIVE STATS

1pm - Ipswich 76-86 Bristol Flyers - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

1pm - Nottingham Trent University 60-67 Team Solent Kestrels

2:15pm - Reading Rockets 66-75 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS

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