At a packed out AO Arena, Sheffield’s own B. Braun Hatters claimed the cup over Manchester Basketball in a thrilling game that finished 90-71.
Sheffield native and GB athlete Georgia Gayle walked away with the Final’s Most Valuable Player award, becoming just the seventh player to win multiple final MVP’s in the Women’s British Basketball League era, having won already won the Playoff Finals MVP during the Hatter’s winning campaign last season.
She finished the game with 20 points, seven assists, and hit four of her seven three point attempts, with six points in the fourth quarter helping to get her team over the finish line.
The Hatters started off the first quarter strong, with Shauna Harrison scoring seven points as the team went up 22-14.
Manchester fought back but struggled to make up the deficit from the start of the game, with guard Tiarra East getting eight of her eventual 23 points as the half ended 49-39, as the Hatters began to break away from the home side.
In the third quarter the Hatters outscored Manchester 24-11, taking the game to 73-50 as their deep squad powered ahead, with Jess Eadsforth-Yates, Georgia Gayle, Nina Krisper, Antoinette Lewis and Megan Mullings all scoring at least four points.
Manchester managed to win the fourth quarter 21-17, but the Hatter’s lead was too dominant and Manchester were unable to come back by the final buzzer.
Alongside Gayle and East’s imposing performances, with teen star Irene Oboavwoduo a keen contributor for Manchester, scoring 16 points and going four-for-four from the free-throw line, although scoring just 38% of her field goal attempts.
For the Hatters, Megan Mullings had a filled sheet with 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal and a block, while Antoinette Lewis had a points and rebound double double, finishing with 11 and 10 respectively.
The Hatters now look forward to the end of the SLB season, with just three games left to confirm another trophy as they sit top of the table, four points ahead of second-placed Caledonia Gladiators.
If they end the season at the top of the table, all that will be left for a historic quadruple is victory in the SLB playoffs.
