UWIC Archers coach Damian Jennings was a delighted man after his side hammered London Heathrow Acers 100-53 to qualify for the Women’s Final Four.

 

"This was simply just our most united performance to date," said Jennings. "All season we have pulled out results from 1-3 players per game (often different players each game) really stepping up. Tonight was very different as all 11 players were switched into the goals for the game and all were engaged on every rotation.

 

"I can’t single out any players or any part of the game today. At both ends of the floor we were consistent, creative and controlled.

 

"The work-ethic to keep a team to 53 points with the offensive arsenal of London Acers, whilst also rotating a roster that hit 100 points was extremely pleasing.

 

"Now we have to take this engagement and authority into the next two weeks of training with preparation to peak for the Final Four.

 

"Today we made history for UWIC women’s basketball club which has been going for 10 years under various titles by progressing from the elite eight to the Final Fours of EBL Division 1 – we are all extremely happy and particularly hungry to produce successful performances in two weekend’s time!"

 

Led by 26 Leah Dehaan points, Archers led 23-12 at the first break before outscoring the visitors 25-10 in the second period to lead 48-22 at half-time. A 21-15 third period effectively ended the game as a contest before the Welsh side wrapped things up with a 31-16 final period.

 

Great Britain pair Meagan Hoffman (18) and Steph Collins (16) completed the Archers’ top scorers, while Flo Piano was the only Acer in double figures.

 

 

 

 

Archers will now face Nottingham Wildcats in the semi-final as the midlands side comfortably dispatched London Mets 86-49

 

It couldn’t have gone any better to plan for the home side who started the game with a 16-0 run. A trey by Lucy Fish started the run that would be ended by a Spasowska lay up at the 5 minute mark.

 

Nottingham continued to score in transition and converting points off forced turnovers. Mets would find their form in the last 5 minutes and cut the lead to 31-23 by the end of the quarter.

 

Wildcats continued to force turnovers from the visitors and were able to get good looks on offense. The visitors were able to contain the Wildcat offense to just 14 points in the second quarter, allowing them to stay in the game. Jill Glessner would maintain the lead for the home side by scoring eight of the 14 team points in the quarter giving the hosts and 8-point halftime lead.

 

Nottingham came out the locker room at halftime with a similar start to the first quarter. An 'and-one' play by Fish got the home side going and a pair of Kate Butters free throws put the lead into double figures. The Nottingham defence held the visitors to six points total for the quarter.

 

Butters continued to cause problems for Mets on the offensive boards and Nottingham were able to extend their lead to 64-43 going into the last period of play.

 

The Nottingham defence stayed strong through the fourth quarter, again only giving up 6 points total in the quarter. A strong start and finish to the game put the Wildcats through to the Final Fours in Manchester.

 

In one of her best all round games as a Wildcat, Butters had 25 points, 10 boards, 6 steals, 5 assists.

 

Glessner added 24 with Fish hitting 18. Spasowska led the visitors with 11 while Marinova was the only other Met in double figures with ten.

 

"The girls were excellent from start to finish today," said head Wildcats head coach Leanne Chandler. "We spoke a lot about performance and momentum going into the playoffs. This game showed how well we are playing and have been all season.

 

"Kate Butters put in a captain's performance with an excellent all-round display, but it was how everyone fed off that. The girls did exactly as I wanted them to and we look forward to advancing to the Final Fours."