Win for Rebels away to Oaklands
The Rebels were on the road this past weekend, as they travelled to Hertfordshire to face the Oaklands Wolves. The Wolves entered in to this match up in the championship having lost their last 4 games and hungry for a win. While the Rebels are coming off a recent victory at home against the Newcastle eagles.
The first quarter began with both teams going back and forth looking to establish themselves in this exciting game. Oaklands seemed to have been energized early on with great ball movement and their outside shooting from their vertrans Upris and Harrison, while the Rebels were looking to dominate the paint with some impressive plays by Haines and Costa. With the Wolves up 1 late in the first Milligan was sent to the line, she connected on both putting Oaklands up Three. But the Rebels would respond with a Three pointer from Jade Mbam to tie the game 17-17. A lay up by Porter put the wolves up two points, however a Tia Freeman lay up for the Rebels with 21 seconds to go Tied it up 19-19 to end the first quarter.
The second quarter started with a Oaklands three pointer from Quick to put the home side up, but again the Rebels would respond with a Tia Freeman drive to the basket for 2. The Rebels ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line really put the home sides defense under pressure. With the Wolves having to make changes due to foul trouble, allowed the Rebels to capitalise late in the quarter to take a four point lead going in to the half 38-34.
The Rebels were able to maintain a lead in the third quarter holding off the hungry Wolves, and were able to take a six point lead going in to the fourth 61-55
The fourth quarter Oaklands refusing to quit, continued to make shots from the permiter allowing them to remain close, however Wolves turnovers and the Rebels ability to score in the paint eventually gave way for the visiting side to come away with the win, with the Rebels scoring 18 points off of Oaklands 24 turnovers as well as scoring 48 points in the paint. The game ended with the Essex Rebels leading by nine 76-67.
“I thought Okalnads played well today, probably the best they’ve played all season. If im being honest this is a very tough place to come and play for us, infact this might be the first time we’ve been able to win a championship game here on this floor. Credit to them for how they competed. – I’m really pleased with how we were able to stay composed today, and find a way to win. I thought Tia played great for us today on both ends of the floor, as well as Megan, and Angel. We have a tough stretch of road games this month and we have to be able to play through certain stretches of games when it feels like things are going against us”
Top Perfromers:
Rebels:
M. Haines 17pts
D. Waithe 16 pts 11 rebounds
L. Costa 15pts
T. Freeman 12pts 7 rebounds 5 steals
Oaklands:
L. Harrison 17pts
B. Sarson 15pts
G. Uprus 13pts The Rebels are on the road again next weekend as they travel next Sunday to take on the Glouscter City Queens.
