Easter Monday joy for the London Lions as they dominate the Nottingham Wildcats 36-116. Skipper Shanice Beckford-Norton and Holly Winterburn Combined for 50 Points. Beckford-Norton Becomes the Lions’ All-Time Points WBBL Leader
Twenty-four hours after taking down the Newcastle Eagles, the London Lions completed their Easter Weekend heist by obliterating the Nottingham Wildcats 36-116.
The three-hour, 144-mile journey to the East Midland-based city didn’t seem to have much of an effect on the 2023 WBBL Trophy champions, as they outshone the Wildcats across the boxscore.
The Lions were almost unstoppable inside the arc, connecting on 58% of their attempts. London took advantage of the Wildcats' inability to guard the paint, torching Nottingham for 60 points. Captain Shanice Beckford-Norton led the barrage of attacks in the paint, hitting six of her nine attempts in and around the restricted area.
Beckford-Norton finished the game with 25 points and became London Lions’ WBBL all-time points leader. Shanice, who was also crowned the Player of the Game, complimented her points production with nine rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Holly Winterburn drained five of the Lions' ten 3-pointers en route to a 25-point performance. The guard also led the game with 11 of London’s 33 assists and six steals to go with her eight rebounds to help stop the Wildcats from gaining any second-chance opportunities at the rim.
The Londoner’s defence forced the Wildcats into 26 turnovers, claiming 17 steals which the Lions converted into 18 fastbreak points to help compound the East Midland misery.
London’s 33 rebound total was led by Azania Stewart, who grabbed a season-high 13 boards. Number 13 also helped facilitate the Lions' offence and anchor the defence to the tune of six assists, two steals and one block.
“Kiki” Herbert Harrigan contributed 17 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block during her 19 minutes on the floor. Fellow 2-way specialist Taylor Murray finished the game with three steals which she aligned with 13 points and six assists. Forward Ty Battle followed her near double-double against the Eagles with 14 points, two blocks and two rebounds, shooting 78% from the hardwood.