Hartlepool HEAT 57 – Sheffield Hatters 61
Sheffield Steel the Points from HEAT
Hartlepool Heat opened the 2009/10 U18 Women's National League season at home to the Sheffield Hatters. Both teams started the game sluggish with Rebecca Mee scoring the teams first basket of the 09 Campaign.
With a back and forth contest with the Heat shooting very well from the free throw line on 7-9 shooting both teams cancelled each other out with as the first quarter tied at 16-16. Sheffield started strong in the second quarter opening up with a 8-0 run, the Heat pushed back with a 6-2 run of their own and both teams traded baskets to the end of the half which saw the Heat trailing 34-27
The start of the third quarter saw Sheffield take a 12 point lead, before the Heat started to build momentum behind a 13-4 run of there own which brought the third quarter to a close with the Heat back within reach trailing by 3 points.
With a tough defensive battle through out the 4th quarter Sheffield once again stretched there lead to 9 points with 90 seconds to go. Coming out of a time out the Heat went on a scorching 7-0 run in 30 seconds to get within in 2 points.
With 38 seconds to go in the game both teams failed to kill the other off until a defensive lapse led to a Sheffield basket to make the score 61-57.
Coming out of a time out the Heat needed a 3pt shot, a steal and quick score to win the game. With Laura Howe's shot hitting the ring and bouncing out, allowing Sheffield to run the clock out.
Scorers: - Hannah Joyce 14, Erin Holtom 10, Lauren Bennett 10, Laura Howe 9.