Nottingham Wildcats have reached the semi-finals of the WBBL Playoffs after beating Leicester Riders at the Morningside Arena on Sunday to face Sevenoaks Suns next week, in a place for the final match and some potential silverware this season.
After two previous defeats against the Riders who finished their regular league campaign in fourth place, four points above Nottingham in fifth, the away side roared into action against a team who were expected favourites to go through, as they raced into a huge first Q lead by fourteen points.
By half time the Wildcats were up 44-28 and in full control but a resurgent third quarter by Leicester saw the game reduced to a two point ball game with the scores at 55-53 in Nottingham’s favour.
However it was the green and whites sharing their delight at the end after another comprehensive sector of the match, the fourth dominated by Nottingham to take the frame by ten, eventually the Wildcats winning 81-69 and by a convincing eleven point margin.
Brooklyn Pannell top scored with 21 points and five assists as Jahnae Gyles scored twenty herself, Praise Egharevba netting twelve with twelve rebounds whilst Kennedy Nicolas topped fourteen rebounds amongst the best of the game stats.
Nottingham will now travel to Sevenoaks Suns who beat Essex Rebels in their Quarter Final match whilst the other playoff semi-final tie will see WBBL league champions London Lions take on Caledonia Pride who beat Sheffield Hatters to go through.
*Main image @IAmAhmedphotos the Wildcats team that beat the Riders.
