WNBL1 recap: Week 13 (8/9 January 2022) - streams, stats and more

With five D1W contests plus a pair of vital WNBL National Cup semi-finals, this past weekend wasn't one to be missed.

Solent's Molly Danielson enjoyed a couple of big performances as Solent secured a league and Cup double, with D2 surprise package Stockport also booking a spot in the WNBL National Cup final.

In league action, there were also wins for Bristol, Loughborough and CoLA, whilst Thames Valley needed a period of OT to see off Ipswich.

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

For a recap of the WNBL National Cup, click here.

Thames Valley Cavaliers (6-2) 91-83 Ipswich (5-3) (after 1OT)

Thames Valley claimed their sixth win of the season following a 91-83 overtime victory against Ipswich.

The game looked to be heading Ipswich’s way as they led by four with just over a minute to go, but baskets from Ellie Bishop and Faith Okwuosa tied things up for the hosts with just six seconds left on the clock.

That sent the contest to an extra period, where a 7-2 run to kick things off provided a platform for the Cavs to go on and seal a valuable win.

Ezekiela Lisk was a standout for TVC, her 14-point, 17-rebound performance was an important contribution for the hosts. Captain Katherine Goldsby led all scorers with 25 points, and Ellie Bishop knocked down three triples on the way to 19 points.

Lisk also managed to keep Ipswich’s dangerous forward Cameron Taylor-Willis from controlling the glass, with Taylor-Willis being restricted to just five rebounds to go with 12 points.

Young guard Saruna Gudza put together a solid 21-point, 11-rebound double-double as Ava Battese closed on 15 points and eight boards.

Elsewhere this weekend

Thirteen points from Emily O’Connell helped CoLA Southwark Pride (11-0) continue their unbeaten start to the season, defeating Reading Rockets (3-6) 73-44.

Leading 36-25 at the half, CoLA struck the telling blow after the break as a 32-8 third quarter put the result beyond any doubt.

Loughborough Riders (6-2) joined Thames Valley in a tie for second place as they saw off Cardiff Met Archers II (5-5) 75-50.

Robyn Ainge (13pts, 8reb, 7ast) and Katie Januszewska (20pts, 7reb) both excelled for the hosts, with the pair snagging four steals apiece for good measure.

Loughborough’s lockdown defence limited Cardiff to just 26% from the floor, with Isobel Bunyan (20pts, 10reb) and Denisa Molnar (13pts) the only two players to make it to double digits for the visitors.

Team Solent Kestrels (5-5) set themselves up for a two-win weekend as they beat London Lions II (1-9) 92-81.

The Kestrels flew out of the gates to claim the opening frame 35-18, leading this one from tip to buzzer. More than once the hosts would get the deficit down to a single basket, but never found a way to pull back level.

American Molly Danielson was in top form for Solent, putting together a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double to lead her team in both categories.

London’s Fatmata Janneh recorded an impressive 32-point, 10-rebound double-double of her own, but it wouldn’t be enough.

Finally, Bristol Flyers (4-7) strengthened their claim for a playoff spot as they beat rivals Worcester Wolves (4-5) 65-61.

Bristol spotted their opponents a 23-12 opening quarter lead before roaring back to claim the victory, thanks in part to 16 points from Hannah Wallace.

Chandre Nunez dropped a game-high 34 points for the Wolves, but defeat now leaves Worcester in a tie with the Flyers for the eighth and final playoff spot.

This weekend's results:

Saturday 8 January

2pm - London Lions II 81-92 Team Solent Kestrels - LIVE STATS

3pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 91-83 Ipswich (After 1OT) - LIVE STATS

5pm - Bristol Flyers 65-61 Worcester Wolves - LIVE STATS

Sunday 9 January

2pm - Loughborough Riders 75-50 Cardiff Met Archers II - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

2:30pm - Reading Rockets 44-73 CoLA Southwark Pride - LIVE STREAM

2pm - WNBL National Cup - Stockport Lapwings 68-66 Thames Valley Cavaliers

3pm - WNBL National Cup - Anglia Ruskin University 57-73 Team Solent Kestrels - LIVE STATS

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Main image credit - Luke Simcock