Wolves Women Narrowly Beaten by Manchester Mystics in Halloween Weekend Thriller

Saturday November 1st 2025

By Oli Russell

Worcester Wolves Women slipped to a spirited 63 – 68 defeat, at the hands of fellow mid-table side Manchester Mystics, having carried the contest right through to the deciding seconds at the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday.

With 14 points separating the sides at the conclusion of the second quarter, Wolves Women just could not find the pivotal points needed to claim the victory, having honorably battled back to reduce the deficit to just one point with 10 seconds remaining on the clock.

Wolves Women Head Coach, Alexis Lewis, describes how: “After a really positive start to the season with some big wins we just came out a little flat and ultimately we paid the price for that.”

“The girls were just out on their feet at the end, but they kept on battling and kept on fighting to the last.”

Asked if that was testament to the group’s character, Lewis explained: “Of course! Even though we lost, we came together at the end as a huddle and it’s clear there still remains a determination to succeed.”

Wolves were slow to start the match, with coach Lewis admitting: “We came out a little flat.”

“Manchester are a really good team and really aggressive on defence – we didn’t match their intensity at first.”

The Mystics’ energetic start to the match ensured first quarter control. Despite Worcester’s Charlotte Finn draining her first three pointer of the evening and a powerful Anya Easton drive and lay-up, Mystics moved into a 24-13 lead.

A frantic second quarter then ensued. Tighter defense from Lewis’ side, combined with some sloppy Mystics moments, saw the margin reduced to just three points.

The night’s eventual top scorers, Worcester’s Ciani Montgomery and Manchester’s Kizzy Spence-Mussington, started to conduct proceedings, however a late scoring spree from the visitors saw them extend their advantage to 41-27 heading into the half time break.

The interlude was welcomed by the hosts, and they returned courtside to set about finding their rhythm with renewed optimism.

Finn let two more effortless three-pointers fly in quick succession, with continued flashes of brilliance from both Montgomery and Tejonah McKay – who began to illustrate her dominance in the paint. This warranted Mystics’ lead to be cut to just six points at the conclusion of the third quarter, leading 56-50.

Confidence now flowed through the home side; as the final quarter brought fresh endeavors to reward supporters inside the University of Worcester Arena now bubbling with anticipation.

The two teams, who started the evening on four points apiece, continued to trade blows. Montgomery coolly sank two from two from the stripe – setting up a one point game in a nerve wracking final 10 seconds.

Frustratingly for the Wolves however, this marked the end of their defiant resurgence, with Mystics’ Camille Chinamasa clinically dispatching four points from the free throw line herself – resulting in Mystics travelling home with maximum points having clutched a 68-63 win.

Montgomery’s impressive 20 point haul topped the Wolves offense, with McKay contributing a terrific double-double consisting of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Finn’s success from outside the arc meant she put up an equally stirring 15-point return.

Wolves Women are on the road next Saturday 08 November (5.15pm), travelling to London All Stars who sit just one place below in the WNBL Standings.

“We know we’re still title contenders,” explained Lewis. “It’s just about what we do with a tough weekend in London ahead of us and how we bounce back from this one.”

“For now, it’s a big week of training and reflection and we’ll see what we do moving forward.”