In WNBL 2, London All Stars' unbeaten streak is over, whilst there were some big results across both of D2's conferences.
The action began with a rare Friday night fixture as Worcester Wolves (9-12) edged Myerscough Basketball Academy (10-10) 60-59 in front of a bumper crowd at the University of Worcester Arena.
Wilfrid Santhe scored the decisive bucket with less than 12 seconds remaining to secure the win for Worcester. Myerscough had an opportunity to win it at the death, but Harry Sheehan was off with his desperation attempt.
Jeremy Lievin paced the Wolves with a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 54% from the floor with Mark Rangley’s 18 points not enough for Myerscough.
Myerscough’s weekend ended on a down, as they were narrowly beaten 63-58 at home to Manchester Magic (14-7). Teenage sensation Jack Walton led Magic with 13 points.
But in contrast, it was a great weekend for the Wolves as they dismissed Cardiff City (2-16) 88-62 on Sunday afternoon to make it two from two. Finlay Rennie led the victorious Wolves with 18 points and five rebounds.
Elsewhere, a short-handed Teesside Lions (6-12) fought hard to beat Bristol Basketball United (4-17) 87-76 in a big game at the the foot of the standings. Fielding just eight players with six seeing minutes, the Lions exploded out of the gate with a 37-14 first quarter which set the tone for the victory.
Brenden Patrick shot an impressive 6/11 from three-point land, going for 36 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Tyrin Hollis and Aiden Khan led Bristol with 16 points each.
Team Solent Kestrels (17-2) kept up the pressure on leaders London Stars (17-3) with a convincing 106-73 win away to Barnet Bulldogs.
The Kestrels led for the majority of the game, with their advantage peaking at 38 points against a tricky opponent who have proven to be a match for anyone this campaign.
Isa Brandon amassed 23 points on 8/10 shooting for the winners, supported by 22 from Andre Arissol. Chuck Duru had 18 for the Bulldogs.
The Kestrels though are not alone though as Barking Abbey (16-2) also scored an 85-71 win over the Essex Rebels II (3-16). Ethan Conway paced BA with 16 points.
Endeavour Ipswich Basketball (3-18) are ending the season strong as they beat NASSA (14-7) 102-94 at Copleston. Charlie Smythe exploded for 36 points to pace the victors.
London All Stars' (15-1) perfect record came to an end over the weekend, as Hemel Storm (9-7) secured a narrow 58-55 victory. Emily Taylor led Hemel with 17 points, helped by Ellie Maidman's 16 to give them a vital win in their hopes of a top four finish in Pool II.
The All Stars' loss was Oaklands College Wolves II (11-6) as they knocked off London Cavaliers II (6-8) 78-54, though the gap between the Wolves and top spot is still a sizable one.
London Elite (10-4) continued their top four push, beating London Thunder (1-16) 78-39 after restricting the visitors to just 13 first half points.
East London Phoenix (9-6) suffered a tough loss on the road to Endeavour Ipswich Basketball II (7-9), with a 53-51 final score.
In a remarkable turnaround, Ipswich claimed the final frame 21-3 to pip their opponents, damaging East London's top-four hopes in the process.
In Pool I, Milton Keynes Breakers (13-1) stay top as they downed Charnwood Riders (6-9) 67-42 thanks to Sarah Round's 16 points.
Bromsgrove Bears (12-2) are hot on MK's heels after a win of their own, coming through as 64-53 victors against Nottingham University Wildcats (5-8).
Hall (19pts) cancelled out a game-high 25 from Nottingham's Greenway in what was an exciting contest.
City of Birmingham Rockets (8-4) retained third spot after a straightforward 94-29 W against Liverpool (1-12), and Cardiff Met Archers (7-7) round out the top four as they beat Plymouth Marjon Patriot Women (5-10) 67-56.
Worcester Wolves 60-59 Myerscough Basketball Academy - LIVE STATS
Bristol Basketball United 76-87 Teesside Lions - LIVE STATS
Barnet Bulldogs 73-106 Team Solent Kestrels - LIVE STATS
Barking Abbey 85-71 Essex Rebels II - LIVE STATS
Endeavour Ipswich Basketball 102-94 NASSA
London Elite 78-39 London Thunder
Endeavour Ipswich Basketball II 53-51 London Phoenix
Hemel Storm 58-55 London All Stars
City of Birmingham Rockets 94-29 Liverpool
Milton Keynes Breakers 67-42 Charnwood Riders
Bromsgrove Bears 64-53 Nottingham University Wildcats
Cardiff Met Archers 67-56 Plymouth Marjon Patriot Women
London Cavaliers II 54-78 Oaklands College Wolves II
Essex Charge 80-91 London Lions Foundation
Plymouth Marjon Patriots 69-88 Crawley Storm
Birmingham City University 91-78 Cambridge Cats
East London Phoenix 88-101 London United
Sheffield Sharks 83-68 Tameside Vikings
University of East Anglia 98-71 Nottingham Trent Hoods
Portsmouth Force 103-108 Plymouth Raiders
Bath Basketball 77-70 Oxford Hoops
Sheffield Elite Basketball Academy 96-104 Tees Valley Mohawks
Myerscough Basketball Academy 58-63 Manchester Magic - LIVE STATS
Worcester Wolves 88-62 Cardiff City - LIVE STATS
Cheshire Wire 70-79 Stockport Falcons (AOT)
Charnwood Riders 76-85 University of Hertfordshire Storm
Plymouth Raiders 79-67 Crawley Storm
CoLA South Southwark Pride 94-61 Kent Crusaders
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Words by John Hobbs
Main image credit - Worcester Wolves
