Loughborough Lightning 73-51 Worcester Wolves

Saturday February 24th 2024

By George Chapman

Worcester Wolves defeated on the road against top of the table Loughborough Lighting who remain unbeaten this campaign as George Bates’ side look to become three-time WPL champions.

Ellen Fraser got the scoreboard ticking for Wolves after Loughborough Lighting scored the first basket of the game with a shot from the outside of the key. Followed by Lena Knippelmeyer who converted shots from the line.

Jade Loughlin converted a lay-up after working a pick and roll with Ellen Fraser. Wolves number fourteen Fraser added to her account for the game after a getting an offensive rebound to add another two points to Wolves total. Heading into the second quarter with the scoreboard reading Loughborough Lighting 21 Worcester Wolves 15.

Lucas Warburtons’ side started the second quarter on fire with Ellen Fraser converting a shot from the wing position.

Lillie Hickman scored a lay-up off the back of a great pick and roll with Ellen Fraser after good ball movement offensively, resulting in Loughborough Lightings Head Coach George Bates calling a time out within a minute and six seconds of the second quarter.

Hickman scored her second basket of the ball game after great ball movement found Hickman free on the baseline. Niamh Horan opened her account for the game after finishing from inside the key to bring Wolves to within one point down 27-25.

With two-minutes and thirty-six seconds remaining in the second quarter Lena Knippelmeyer worked into her way into the key converting the three-point play after finishing through contact and knocking a foul shot. Knippelmeyer netted a layup after great teamwork from the Wolves broke Lightnings’ full court pressure.

George Bates’ sides experience began to show towards the end of the first half with Loughborough heading into the third quarter with a twelve point lead up by forty-two points to Worcester Wolves thirty points.

Ellen Fraser got Wolves off to a flying start scoring the first basket of the third quarter before Robin Love responded to keep Lighting up by twelve.

Emily Branthwaite scored her first basket of the game knocking down a shot from the left-side wing.

Niamh Horan concerted one of two foul shots after been fouled in the act of shooting, Horan scored two more baskets in successive offenses for Worcester taking the teams total to thirty-nine points. Loughborough began to pull away at the end of the third quarter up 61-39 going into the fourth quarter.

Wolves number fourteen Ellen Fraser scored the first basket of the final quarter scoring another basket from the wing position scoring Wolves forty-first point of the game. Lena Knippelmeyer cut Lightings lead to twenty points converting a long post up shot before Robin Love extended Loughborough’s lead.

Lena Knippelmeyer provided a fantastic assist for Ellen Fraser to finish inside after Knippelmeyer picked up the loose ball, Jade Loughlin converted a fast break lay-up to add to her game total. With one minute and twenty-nine seconds remaining in the final quarter Cat Yearron scored her first points of the match finishing from the top of the key. In the final stages of the fourth quarter Lena added Knippelmeyer a further two points to her total for the game making converting two free throws.

It was defending Women’s Premier League champions Loughborough lighting who took the win 73-51 to remain unbeaten this season.

GB International Ellen Fraser and German international Lena Knippelmeyer top scored for Wolves scoring 16 each of the Wolves’ 51 points.

Lucas Warburtons’ side return to action at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday the 15^th of March 2024 tipping off at 7:30pm. You can purchase your tickets for the game here.