RHUL Lady Bears remain undefeated in BUCS

By Jo Svensson

Last Wednesday saw one of the most hyped up games of the season when RHUL Bears welcomed University of Kent to Nobles. Many were the memories from last season's first, and only, defeat in BUCS for the Lady Bears when the last game of autumn term was played at Holloway against just Kent. That game was lost in the last five seconds of the game and for a while it looked as though Kent were to repeat history. However, with 12 players fully determined not to grant them that lucky shot again, our ladies pulled it together to win by 59-58 in a game where a minute never has seemed longer than that final one.

Royal Holloway cut right to the chase and shocked Kent with two straight 3-pointers signed Kristine Flyvholm and Jocelyn Lau and continued to dominate the first quarter, much thanks to a tight defence. As a humble gesture, Kent, although repeatedly sent to the line, missed 5/8 free-throws and thereby landed RHUL a lead 20-13 after 10 minutes. Holloway's women struggled with the height disadvantage but fought bravely under the basket against Kent's post players.

In the second quarter, Kent stepped up their game and edged nearer RHUL on the scoreboard to a half-time score of 53-51. It was now RHUL's turn to miss free-throws and consequently Kent seized the opportunity to get back in the game. Half-time, coach Tasha Green led her team into the changing rooms to cool down, allow them to gather their heads and speak strategy for the second half. If possible, the ladies seemed even more shattered when stepping onto the court in the third quarter. Kent were allowed easy baskets and after a concluding 0-5 in the last 2 minutes, the fourth quarter began with, for the first time, Holloway lagging behind, 47-48.

And what a final quarter. Royal Holloway reclaimed the lead within the first four minutes with Alice Couten scoring 7 points and Iv Hrstova putting up a good fight in defence, leaving the score at 56-52 in the home team's favour. The game seemed in control of the paws of the Bears. Until Kent scored. And scored again. Suddenly it was 58-57 and evil memories from the previous season surely entered one or two old minds. Finally, however, with less than two minutes left, Kristine Flyvholm scored on a 3-point play and thereby left Royal Holloway winners.

Scorers: Alice Couten 22, Kristine Flyvholm 20, Levke Rickmers 6, Vicky Bright 4, Iv Hrstova 2, Jocelyn Lau 3, Shanty Cheung 2

Posted in: team,womens