Basketball: Phoenix can't rise to Amazons' challenge

Bognor Amazons needed overtime to get the better of Brighton Phoenix, ending up with a hard-earned 66-56 win.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Feb 2016, 08:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 18:41 BST

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Bognor AmazonsBognor Amazons
Bognor Amazons

Amazons were faring slightly better than Phoenix early on thanks to strong under-the-basket shooting by Dani King and ended the first quarter leading 20-9.

Phoenix came out strong in the second quarter, closing the lead. Amazons were finding it very difficult to penetrate the Phoenix defence.

By half-time their lead was just 27-26.

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It was Amazons’ turn to come out battling in the third quarter and baskets by Lara Whitaker saw them gain control once more before Phoenix levelled it at 38-38.

Phoenix took the lead and the rest of the quarter involved physical defence by both sides, but Amazons got more points on the board courtesy of Sadie Tooley.

The quarter ended with Phoenix in the lead 44-43.

Amazons drew level in the second minute of the fourth quarter, only for Phoenix to take the lead again.

The lead changed times a number of times and with 30 seconds left the score was 56-56.

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Amazons were in foul trouble, sending Phoenix to the line. The pressure was too much for Phoenix, however, and both shots were missed.

In Amazons’ last attack they were fouled and ended up on the line with two free throws. Both were missed, sending the game to overtime.

The team talk for Amazons worked as Vicky Smith came out to score the first four points of overtime. This was followed by some awesome steals by Stapely which stopped Phoenix getting points on the board and led to her scoring more points.

Whitaker was strong on the defensive rebounds and Phoenix failed to score at all during overtime. Amazons finished winners by ten shots.

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Scorers: S Pavey 2, E Lowe 2, Z Vitanyi 4, L Stapely 4, S Tooley 7, V Smith 13, L Whitaker 16, D King 18.

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Related topics:Phoenix