The Betty Codona WBBL 2023 Trophy quarter finals resumed this weekend. The WBBL team overcame Manchester Mystics to secure qualification to the semi-finals with a 59-90 victory.
Helping advance the Hatters through to the next round, Georgia Gayle finished with 21 points – without a miss from two-point range – while also adding six rebounds and six assists. Karly Murphy also added 18 points to go along with 14 rebounds.
The Hatters started strong, with Gayle getting off the mark with a three-point shot with Murphy making her presence felt early, under the basket and from mid-range.
The Mystics responded with a triple from Claire Abbott and a mid-range jumpshot from Leah McDerment, but the Hatters still pulled away.
Charli Wroe and Abbey Whitehouse chipped in combining for back-to-back scores helping the Hatters round off an excellent first quarter performance of a10-31 lead.
Gayle drained more three-pointers during the second quarter, as the Hatters extended their lead.
A skilful drive and finish by Whitehouse wowed the Hatters bench, extending our lead up to 21 and we finished at the half way point with a 23-49 score.
The third quarter saw Sheffield extend their lead further, with Helen Naylor and Nicolette Fairley putting on a show, combining for12 points on consecutive possessions.
The Mystics fought back with back-to-back threes from Shaelynne Sanchez Czerniecki, and closed out a 23-point quarter.
Heading into the final quarter with a 46-74 advantage, we were able to field all 10 active players to get a taste of Trophy action.
We now move to the Betty Codona WBBL Trophy semi-finals, and will face the London Lions.