Cardiff Met Archers 47-58 Worcester Wolves

Saturday January 13th 2024

By George Chapman

Wolves secure first win of the season getting 2024 off to a fine start with victory over Cardiff Met Archers.

After the opening quarter that saw both teams go basket for basket Wolves went into the second quarter up 20-17.

With great defence from Wolves denying Cardiff the inside game, Archers were forced to shoot from fifteen feet.

The home side made home advantage count responding well after the first quarter of action with a single point separating the sides with the score board reading Cardiff Met Archers 33 Worcester Wolves 34.

Lucas Warburtons side came out after the break with intensive defence and composed offense with his side dominant at both ends of the floor only conceding one point in the entirety of the third quarter.

Offensively Wolves started to use back picks to good effect giving Lena Knippelmeyer lanes to attack in the key over Cardiff’s lower point players. Wolves went into the fourth quarter up by seventeen points with the score 35-52.

Cardiff Met Archers reacted in the fourth quarter with a strong defensive stand, converting heavily contested shots from the Wolves defence. Head coach Lucas Warburton called a time out in the closing stages of the final quarter to stop the Met Archers momentum.

Wolves recomposed in a high-pressure situation knocking down free throws as Cardiff tried to get the lead down to single digits having been down by seventeen points at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Wolves showed great team sprit to withstand the pressure Cardiff applied in the closing stages to secure the first win of the 2023-24 Women’s Premier League season with the final score Cardiff Met Archers 47 Worcester Wolves 58.

Forward Lena Knippelmeyer lead the way for Wolves with another double double, finishing the game with 17 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists while Jade Loughlin also produced a double double with 10 point and 11 assists. Ellan Fraser took at total of 16 points and 4 rebounds to round off the teams double digit scorers.

Wolves return to action on Sunday January 20th, traveling to the University of East London to face East London Phoenix before returning to the University of Worcester Arena on January 27th to take on Phoenix in the reverse fixture.