National Cup Roundup:
WNBL D1 Loughborough Student Riders v WNBL D2 Sheffield Hatters
Sunday 5th November, 2023
In an exciting matchup on Sunday, November 5th, 2023, the WNBL Division 1 Loughborough
Student Riders hosted the WNBL Division 2 Sheffield Hatters. It was a clash of contrasting
fortunes as Loughborough aimed to bounce back from a tough loss to Division 1 Bristol Flyers the
day before, while the Hatters were riding high after a solid win against Division 2’s Bromsgrove
Bears.
The opening of the game saw a back-and-forth affair, with Lauren Dabbs igniting the Riders with a
smooth 2-pointer and a deep 3. Loughborough asserted their dominance on the boards in the first
quarter, out-rebounding Sheffield 12 to 11. However, it was Sheffield’s defensive intensity that
made the difference, forcing Loughborough into committing 9 turnovers. Captain Lisa Riches
orchestrated the Sheffield offense, setting the table for her teammates. Helen Naylor and Sarah
Cooney capitalized on the opportunities, contributing 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the first
quarter.
Loughborough’s Lauren Dabbs and Daisy Porter showcased their offensive prowess to keep the
home team competitive. Nevertheless, it was Sheffield’s suffocating defense that shone in the
second quarter, as they capitalized on 18 points scored from Loughborough’s turnovers. The
Hatters also started controlling the offensive boards, tallying 14 second-chance points. Despite
Loughborough’s energetic play on both ends of the court, it was the visiting Hatters that closed
out the quarter in style. Stephanie Gandy provided an 11-point scoring burst and pulled down 4
rebounds, while Lisa Riches made her presence felt with 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 points. The
halftime score read Riders 30, Sheffield 53, with the Hatters in a commanding position.
The third quarter witnessed the Hatters continuing to dominate possession, particularly on the
offensive end. Both teams managed to score in transition, but Loughborough struggled to find
their rhythm in the half-court offense. Despite taking several 3-point attempts, they couldn’t
connect with open shots. Loughborough did manage to add another 18 points in the quarter, but
Sheffield extended their lead to a formidable 24 points by the end of the period.
Lisa Riches showcased her incredible playmaking abilities, leading all players with 12 assists and
pulling down 13 rebounds. Sarah Cooney emerged as the game’s top scorer with a stunning 37
points, accompanied by 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Helen Naylor contributed a well-rounded
performance with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Stephanie Gandy added 17 points
and grabbed 5 rebounds.
The Hatters’ impressive performance in this matchup secures their advance to the next stage of
the National Cup, solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with in the WNBL. The final
score of this fiercely contested game was Sheffield Hatters [54-89], and their dominant trio of
Sarah Cooney, Helen Naylor, and Stephanie Gandy led the charge, leaving the crowd in awe of
their exceptional skills and teamwork.
Final Score: Loughborough Student Riders 54 – Sheffield Hatters 89
Top Scorers:
Sarah Cooney 37 pts
Helen Naylor 22 pts
Stephanie Gandy 17 pts