East London Phoenix fell to a defeat as they hosted league favorites Loughborough Lighting, in a top-of-the-table clash following both sides winning start to the BWB Women’s Premier League season.
East London Phoenix came out with the same starting five that won 60-33 last time out against Cardiff Archers. Evelyn Roberts, Amy Conroy, Freya Levy, Beth Wheeler, and Nik Terrell all keeping their spots.
It was always going to be a tough outing against a Lighting squad that featured six Team GB players, including the likes of Laurie Williams, Lucy Robinson, Niamh Horan, and their captain, Robyn Love.
Tide’s Turn
Phoenix started the game well, winning the opening tip-off and following it up with two points from Beth Wheeler and it continued with Amy Conroy securing the first three of the BWB season from the top of the key to give Phoenix a 7-6 lead five minutes in.
However, the tide slowly started to turn and that would be the last time Phoenix would have the lead in the fixture. Phoenix began to get sloppy in possession, ending the half with five turnovers, to which Lightning captain Robyn Love and Lucy Robinson capitalized on with 15 points between them, giving Loughborough a four-point lead at the end of the quarter.
Lightning On Fire
Phoenix captain Amy Conroy got off to a strong start to the second quarter, scoring five points in the first three minutes. On the other hand, Lighting comes out firing on all cylinders to a 29-20 lead, forcing Phoenix to double team the ball handler before having the free woman cut to the basket well for wide-open lay-ups.
That was the story for most of the quarter as the half ended with Conroy and Wheeler still the only scorers for Phoenix, whereas Lighting was spreading the wealth with six different scorers.
Down At The Half
The half ended with Lightning leading 33-26. During halftime as the Phoenix squad went to the changing room, Lightning stayed on the court, keeping warm, and came out firing with six unanswered points.
Lightning’s strong start didn’t deter Phoenix though as after a strong flurry of points from Conroy, Wheeler, and Levy the noise of the crowd grew louder and louder to help push their team back into the tie and Conroy followed up by getting the first three-pointer of the BWB season, which helped bring the game back to within one point.
However, it wasn’t enough as Loughborough’s experience showed in the final minute of the quarter, forcing turnovers and scoring on the fast-break to give them a 47-42 lead going into the fourth.
Too Much To Overcome
The theme continued into the fourth, again Loughborough started with eight unanswered points to gain their largest lead of the game of 13 points. Lucy Robinson in particular shooting lights out for Loughborough as she finished the game with 21 points on 10 for 11 shooting.
Ultimately that lead was too much for Phoenix to overcome and despite a valiant effort against a team many believe to be the strongest in the league, the game ended 61-50 to Loughborough Lightning giving them the sole lead at the top of the BWB Premier League table.
Both Lightning captain Robyn Love, who ended the game playing all 40 minutes, and Phoenix captain Amy Conroy lead their team in scoring with 22 and 31 points respectively.
Post-Game Comments
After the game, our Rising East reporters caught up with the head coach of the East London Phoenix, Michael Hanson-Morris, and got his opinion on the result, “You never want to lose but it is kind of where we are at with our progress and it was a good test for us.”
Amy Conroy added, “There are some things we can change but I’m really proud of us![smiles]”
Next up for East London Phoenix is another home tie against Worcester Wolves next Saturday. Phoenix will be hoping to get back to winning ways as Worcester come into the game off the back of two losses to start their season.
