The 2018-19 WBBL season is underway as five teams picked up wins on the opening weekend.
Newcastle Eagles WBBL were amongst the victors with Sevenoaks Suns, Manchester Mystics, BA London Lions and Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters the other winners.
Chris Bunten's side defeated Caledonia Pride 74-86 on the road as Steph Gandy starred for the visitors with 26 points and Kara Bonenberger had 21 in the triumph away from home.
🗒 Our @WBBLofficial team tipped-off their new season with a huge with pride this afternoon securing their first league win as Eagles. #BritishBasketball https://t.co/o1E6aFKV81
— Newcastle Eagles (@NewcastleEagle) September 30, 2018
"Overall I am happy with the performance we should some great strengths at the offensive end and our ability to score in the paint was impressive to watch," said Bunten.
"Steph and Kara have great synergy together all ready and then we don't let off when we bring Georgia [Ohdroff] and Maya [Price] in.
"To score the way we did despite not shooting great from the line and only attempt 7 3s was such encouraging signs.
"We are still a work in progress and will spend a lot more time refining our defence as we allowed Caledonia a chance to come back in in the 3rd through miss rotations and boxing out.
"The season is so long and we still have so much to put in on the floor, plus I need to get use to my rotations and the players will continue to get use to playing with each other.
"I am very excited and know we will be pushing for silverware this season."
Defending league champions Sevenoaks Suns eased to a 35-93 win away at newcomers Essex Blades as Renee Busch top scored with 16 points for a balanced attack.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Manchester eased past Durham Palatinates 87-46 behind 17 points from Georgia Jones to lead her side to victory.
🎥 | Georgia Jones (@gljones4) came out firing for @Mcr_Mystics, netting a team-high 17 points - including five threes - in her team's opening day victory.#BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/1qJOyboxpY
— WBBL (@WBBLofficial) September 30, 2018
Sheffield overcame Nottingham Wildcats with an emphatic 97-63 triumph with a 28-point haul from Helen Naylor along with 24 points each for debutantes Alison Gorrell and Sarah Toeaina.
The Lions were paced by 18 points and 12 rebounds from Diana Voynova, while Loren Christie and Urysla Cotton also both added double-doubles in a narrow 74-71 success against Oaklands Wolves.
