WORCESTER Wolves were outclassed by Loughborough Lightning on Friday night as the BWB Women’s Premier League leaders stormed to a 50-point victory.
It was always going to be the ultimate challenge for Wolves in what was the team's first WPL game to be played on a Friday evening at The University of Worcester Arena.
Lightning started strongly and were quickly ten points up before Emily Branthwaite got the first score for Worcester with a shot from the top of the key. Wolves Head Coach Lucas Warburton called a time out with four minutes forty-three seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Cat Yearron got her first score of the game after finishing a layup as Wolves' full-court pressure paid off. At the end the first quarter, however, Loughborough were up by twenty points.
Niamh Horan opened her account for the game scoring Wolves’ first basket of the second quarter, knocking down a shot from the left wing position. Lena Knippelmeyer got her first two of the game after Yearron secured an offensive rebound, finding Knippelmeyer who converted from inside the key.
Wolves scored with the last possession of the first half through Niamh Horan's rebound, but that was only their 10th point of the game and Lightning showed why are sitting top of the WPL with forty-three points in the first half.
Elana Brand got the scoreboard ticking in the second half, converting two free throws after being fouled in the act of shooting. Jade Loughlin got in on the act after good ball movement found Loughlin who converted from inside the key.
Brand added two more points to her total after knocking down a post up from inside the key and Wolves' number nine Loughlin showed fantastic composure to dribble past Loughborough defenders, going all the way to the hoop. Brand scored another post-up shot from inside the key to take Wolves to 20 points.
Heading into the final quarter, Lightning held a thirty-eight-point lead, with the scoreboard reading 20-58 in favour of the visitors.
Imogen Longworth and Lillie Hickman both put more points on the board and Lena Knippelmeyer got her sixth point of the game, knocking down a shot from the elbow for the final score of the match.
But there was only one winner on the night and in the end, Loughborough were able to stretch their lead to 50 points, with a final score of 76-26 in the visitors' favour.
Lucas Warburtons’ side have one more home fixture against Cardiff Met Archers on Saturday April 27, tipping off at 2:00pm.
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