WNBL1 Recap: Playoff Semi-Finals (22 May 2021) - Ipswich, CoLA book final spots

The WNBL has it's 2020/21 playoff finalists, as Ipswich and CoLA both punched a ticket to Nottingham this weekend.

Following two highly competitive semi-finals, we're down to just two sides ahead of next weekend's showpiece event.

We take a look at both games below, with each heading clickable for live stats, plus links to live stats and live streams at the bottom of the page.

#1 Ipswich 75-72 #5 Nottingham Trent University

Ipswich are just a game away from adding playoff success to their regular season title as they beat Nottingham 75-72.

In a back and forth contest that NTU led by double digits late in the first half, the #1 seeds utilised a timely 13-2 run in the game's final quarter to seal a narrow victory.

Harriet Welham (27pts, 8reb, 7ast) and Cameron Taylor-Willis (21pts, 11reb) did the majority of the damage for the hosts, who now move on to their first ever D1W playoff final.

Nottingham elected to roll with Schekinah Bimpa over Mady Burdett following her strong showing last weekend, though the American closed on just two points to go with seven rebound and four assists.

That left wing Evi Dekker to put up a team-high 27 points, taking 18 three point attempts in the process. Naomi Campbell also contributed well, with an efficient 15 point, seven rebound outing.

#2 CoLA Southwark Pride 64-50 #3 Loughborough Riders

CoLA are returning to the D1W playoff final for the first time since 2016/17 as they knocked off Loughborough 64-50.

Utilising another trademark high-energy defensive performance, the hosts limited their opponent's scoring opportunities throughout and allowed just eight points in what would prove to be a pivotal third quarter.

The visitors shot just 27% from the floor, with Katie Januszewska (8pts, 3/16) and Makana Stone (11pts, 4/9) both struggling to find much joy against the London side.

Beeban Jikiemi-Pearson top scored for CoLA with 14 points, adding three rebounds and a pair of assists, whilst Molly Lavin posted a solid 14 point, 14 rebound double-double and Emilie Black (10pts), Isi Ozzy-Momodu (8pts, 14reb) and Ana-Isabel Andersson (7pts, 5ast) all chipped in throughout.

Unable to find the usual production from Stone and Januszewska, captain Robyn Ainge top scored with 14 points.

This weekend's results:

Saturday 22 May

2pm - #1 Ipswich 75-72 #5 Nottingham Trent University - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM LOCATION
2pm - #2 CoLA Southwark Pride 64-50 #3 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

Main image credit - Jay-Ann Harriett-Bravo