Hartlepool HEAT 57 – Nottingham Wildcats 51
HEAT tame Wildcats
With a few stuttering performances so far this season, the HEAT were determined to correct their slow starts to games. The HEAT opened the scoring behind a Hannah Joyce jump shot but Nottingham responded and went on an 8-2 run to build up a slim 4-point lead.
The Hartlepool women followed this up with an 8-3 run of there own behind baskets from Katie Blakemore and Laura Howe. The HEAT worked hard for their good start and finished the first quarter with a much-earned 12-11 lead. Nottingham struck first in the second quarter with a 7-2 run but HEAT hit back again with Katie Blakemore and assisted well by Laura Howe with a 7-0 run.
The rest of the team stepped up their intensity and the HEAT regained a one point lead with 3-minutes to go till half time.
Both teams traded baskets in the last three minutes of the half, but it was Nottingham who took a one-point lead into the break.
The HEAT women opened up the third quarter with a 5-2 run, which woke Nottingham up and they answered back with an 8-0 run of their own.
Nottingham had a 35-27 lead three minutes into the third quarter. The HEAT women who had been playing very well defensively throughout the game, took things to another level.
With seven minutes to go they locked down Nottingham and went on an offensive blitz with a 16-2 run dominating the quarter. Hannah Joyce made shot after shot and hit 11 third quarter points with Katie Blakemore, Laura Howe and Rebecca Weatherill chipping in with a basket each.
Going into the final quarter with a 6- point lead the HEAT continued the great team defence, the offensive end was dominated by Katie Blakemore and Laura Howe.
Katie Blakemore had 14 fourth quarter points and Laura Howe added another 4-points to her 19 personal total.
With Each team going on an 8-2 run of their own in the fourth quarter, the HEAT women kept their cool as the Wildcats feel to pieces.
The Hartlepool HEAT Women went on to maintain their six point win, and the teams first ever win against the highly rated Nottingham Wildcats.
Scorers: Laura Howe 19, Hannah Joyce 17, Katie Blakemore 13