TheLions continue their winning streak to reach the semi-finals of the Women’sBritish Basketball League Trophy.
KatSnytsina led a spirited team performance - scoring 10 points along with nineassists and six rebounds.
It is very well documented that the London Lions have not lost a game of basketball in a run that spans close to four months. Stella Kaltsidou’s team have been dominant both domestically and in Europe, with the aim being to compete for every piece of silverware available this season.
After tasting victory again in EuroCup 48hours prior, the Lions prepared themselves for their first Betty Codona Trophy game of the season - taking on the Caledonia Gladiators.
With the tie being played in St Albans, it almost had the feel of a road game for both teams. Despite Caledonia making the longer trip, it was them who began the match brightest - coming hot out of the blocks and kickstarting a 9-0 run.
London were scoreless for the first threeand a half minutes, accumulating seven turnovers in the early stages. After anightmare start, the defending champions recovered and went on a 16-2 run oftheir own. As a result, the Lions led heading into the second quarter.
Despite losing momentum, the Gladiators continued to give their all in the game and competed well going into half-time. Samantha Roscoe was a bright spark for the Scots, as the 28-year-old scored animpressive 19 first half points.
The two teams competed well against each other in a closely contested quarter. However, Holly Winter burn’s buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the period gave the Lions a healthynine-point lead at the midway point.
Although it perhaps did not feel like it, London shot well throughout the game. The issue for the Lions was Caledonia’s intensity - which made life difficult for a side looking to pull away in the game. The Gladiators have never been past the last eight stage of the WBBL Trophy, so continued their fight on into the second half.
With 12 minutes left in the game, the visitors found themselves down by just three points. With the pressure on, a huge three-pointer from the sharp-shooting Karlie Samuelson saw London double its lead - taking a six-point cushion into the final quarter.
Iowa Hawkeyes alumni Megan Gustafson made all six of her shots in the match, finding her range in the second half when the Lions needed her post. Alongside four other players, the American scored double-digits in points, which in the end - was too much for the Gladiators to handle.
After a close 30 minutes of basketball, the London Lions ran away with the game - booking their spot in the semi-finals spot against the Sheffield Hatters next Sunday (Jan 21).
Watch the full game here.
