Anglia Ruskin continued their recent winning ways in the WNBL, adding a National Cup to their silverware collection following a 90-80 win over Nottingham Trent University.
After some even early exchanges, the reigning D1W playoff champions began to assert their dominance to lead 24-16 after 1. The difference moved into double digits early in the 2nd quarter and passed the 20 point mark before the half.
Nottingham continued to fight despite the deficit, closing the gap to nine points late in the 4th quarter but it wouldn't be enough. Their comeback would eventually fall short, running out of time as ARU celebrated the win.
MVP honours went to Anglia's Madeline Homoly, with the American scoring a team high 28 point to go with 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Katrin Hulme provided ample support with a 17 point, 13 rebound double-double of her own and Noa Sanchez Marques finished with 16 points.
NTU's Arielle Jackson dropped a game high 30 points to go with eight rebounds, three assists and five steals in the losing effort.
Anglia Ruskin head coach Michael Hanson-Morris on his side's National Cup win#NBL1920 #TogetherWeAreBssketbALL pic.twitter.com/ccnhCRZdgS
— Basketball England (@bballengland) February 2, 2020
The MVP of the National Cup Women's Final, Madeline Homoly!#NBL1920 #TogetherWeAreBasketbALL pic.twitter.com/GM0df8ZvrK
— Basketball England (@bballengland) February 2, 2020
We also hear from Anglia Ruskin captain Marianna Maddaloni after lifting the National Cup trophy 🏆#NBL1920 #TogetherWeAreBasketbALL pic.twitter.com/1WX0YBtXdB
— Basketball England (@bballengland) February 2, 2020
Team Solent Kestrels continued their dominant season over the rest of the NBL with a 90-67 National Cup final win over fellow D1M side Reading Rockets.
Currently unbeaten in the league at 15-0, still alive in the semi-finals of the BBL Trophy and now victors in the National Cup, Solent are yet to taste defeat in 2019/20 despite the calendar moving into February. Their latest victory was a straight-forward one, leading from pole-to-pole behind some stifling defence that limited the Rockets' offence for long stretches.
The Kestrels came out fast, building a double digit advantage in the 1st quarter that extended past the 20 point mark early in the 3rd. Coach Guymon's side kept their opponents at arm's length the rest of the way, capping a professional performance and the team's first ever National Cup title.
The game's MVP award went to Solent's Brendan Okoronkwo who enjoyed a 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals stat line. American Travis Charles top scored with a team high 21 points and Luke Busumbru added 14 points to go with five rebounds, three assists and four steals.
Nick Richards led the way for the Rockets with a game high 22 points, adding eight rebounds and five assists whilst Ed Potter had a 16 point, 13 rebound double-double.
The thoughts of @SolentKestrels head coach Matt Guymon as his side pick up a new piece of silverware 🏆#TogetherWeAreBasketbALL pic.twitter.com/V5lhonYceY
— Basketball England (@bballengland) February 2, 2020
MVP Brendan Okoronkwo gives us his thoughts on his side's new 🏆#NBL1920 #TogetherWeAreBasketbALL pic.twitter.com/tGarWynin1
— Basketball England (@bballengland) February 2, 2020
