Strong finish gives Wolves victory

A strong fourth period saw Oaklands Wolves make a winning start to the Super League Basketball season as Durham Palatinates were beaten 99-70 on Saturday evening.

Lee Ryan's team outscored the visitors 32-13 in the final quarter to clinch the win as Abigail Rafferty led the hosts with 26 points, six rebounds and four assists. GB international Sam Ashby added 19 points while Maria Albiero added eight assists to her 11 points as all ten Wolves scored at least three points and had at least two rebounds.

Ryan was understandably delighted with the victory: “it was great to get the first championship win of the season in front of ours fans!" he said 

"We had some great spells in the game and showed the potential of what this team are capable of. Durham caused us some problems, there is still so much for us to improve, but the players are committed to that journey. 

"We're hoping to see everyone at the Wolf den in two weeks time for a big game against Eurocup side Caledonia Gladiators."

Tay McGhee-Pleasant's lay-up capped a 10-2 run as Wolves made a fast start, but Durham gave an early indication that they would prove to be a tough test as  S. Klassen reduced the arrears to 21-15 with six minutes on the clock and although Ashby made it a double digit game, Durham cut the deficit to 26-18 at the first break.

Rafferty scored Wolves only four points of the opening five second period minutes as the visitors took their first lead of the game at 31-30 but a pair of Danielle McCray baskets capped  10-0 Wolves' run before she split a pair of free-throws to send the hosts into the locker room with a 44-36 half-time lead.

McCray's jump shot kept the lead at eight points with six second half minutes gone and triples from E Fortu and Ashby saw Oaklands take a 67-57 lead into the final break 

That advantage shrunk to five points early in the fourth period but Albiero's triple with 5:32 on the clock sparked the strong end to the game as Rafferty scored seven straight points for the hosts before Battle effectively ended the game as a contest with jumper to give Wolves a 20-point lead with 96 seconds remaining.

With 11 teams inthe SLB, Wolves now have a weekend off before hosting title favourites Caledonia on November 3.

Wolves young NBL Division Two side made it a good weekend for the women as they destroyed Stevenage Rebels 90-28 on their own court.

Wolves trailed 5-3 with a little over minutes gone before a timeout from the home side backfired as Wolves scored 21 unanswered  points to close out the period to take a big lead they would never lose. 

It was one-way traffic from then on as Wolves outscored the hosts 24-8 in the second quarter and 21-11 in the third before limiting the hosts to four points in the fourth period to wrap up a third straight league victory.

Woodman led Wolves with 20 points and five rebounds, with Azaria Adbie-Waite adding 13 points and six boards. Paris Tyosn finished with 12 points and five rebounds with her sister Tiff adding an impressive eight assists to her seven points, five steals and four boards.

In contrast, it was a disappointing weekend for Wolves' senior men as their Division Three side lost 88-68 at Northamptonshire Titans and the Conference team going down 95-67 at home against Woking Blackhawks. 

Liam Jefferson's team never recovered from a 23-11 first period against Titan, training 38-24 at half-time and being outscored 27-15 in the third quarter before reducing the deficit with a 29-23 final frame. La'Quarne Sayers led Wolves with a 15 points, with Lore  Adekeye adding 14 and Lanre Pratt seven. 

Wolves II competed well in three quarters against Blackhawks, but a 29-7 second period condemned them to a heavy a loss, despite a 31-point display from K Gasperas with O Boyeyo adding 12 points