BUSA League
Breakdown:
1st: 15-10
2nd: 4-12
3rd: 12-12
4th: 17-8
Scorers:
Nika Sever (16)
Alice Couten (14)
Eleanor Hughes (6)
Hannah Simpson (4)
Jenny Kehlbeck (2)
After a 2hr30 train journey to Canterbury, Kent the team arrived early and had to wait for the late arrival of the home team.
During the 1st quarter the team showed a lot of effort, however they had to get their heads in the game, losing the quarter by 5 points, 15-10.
After a good time out taken by player-coach for the day Hannah Simpson, the team fought harder than ever. The team got back into the game making better decisions, better passing and improved rebounding as well as changing to a box&1 defense that saw Tsungai Mumbengegwi and Candice Moses shutdown one of Kent's main shooters. This sparked a 4-12 quarter run for RHUL seeing them edge past Kent to go into the half 19-22 up.
The 3rd quarter was extremely close with Kent starting to appreciate RHUL's play. Nika Sever had ended the 2nd quarter with a 3 and gunned in two more to start the 3rd. Alice Couten was close to being arrested with the number of steals she was picking up and the team spirit saw RHUL, and in particular Cherrelle Glave, battle hard to see a well contested quarter end 12-a-piece and the game set up at 31-34 entering the final period.
RHUL appeared tired as the 4th quarter started, perhaps unsurprising having only 3 subs on the bench compared to Kent's 7. However the score remained tied until the final two minutes when Kent's no.6 Isabella Iliaskas sunk 3 3s to propel Kent to a 48-42 win. Iliaskas appeared to be the difference on the day scoring 19 2nd half points, 13 of them in the 4th quarter.
Following the game Club President Hannah Simpson and Captain Nika Sever both said "We are very proud of you all, we couldn't have asked any more...we are a true team!"
Coach Bailes, unable to attend the days games due to business committments, had further praise for his players "The performance and spirit shown today really shows how far this group of players has come, not just in terms of basketball skill but also their belief and trust in each other and their understanding of what it takes to build a successful team. Last term I wouldn't have felt confident sending them to an away game coachless, but now I'm looking forward to a few more days off in the future!"
The team host Chichester next week in the season's final BUSA League game and look to avenge their 1st term loss to the southcoast side.
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