The game got off to a close start with both sides exchanging baskets. Lions, however, were able to open up an eight-point lead after a fantastic opening quarter from Holly Winterburn. The guard scored 11 points in the quarter as Lions led 16-8.

The second quarter saw a flurry of unforced errors from Sevenoaks Suns. Lions weren’t able to capitalise fully on their opponent’s mistakes, but they won the quarter 17-15 to hold a 10 point, 33-23 lead at the halftime break.

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Lions started to assert their dominance in the third quarter. They limited Suns to just six points in the period whilst adding 23 to their own total to take control of the game and go into the fourth and final quarter 56-29 ahead.

Lions played out the game comfortably in the last. They won the quarter 16-7 to wrap up a 72-36 win and secure their second consecutive WBBL Trophy title.

Holly Winterburn took home the MVP award after a superb performance of 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.

MVP Winterburn said: “I think I just tried to make the right decision at every moment and that can be scoring, assisting, stealing and we all do that. We really pride ourselves on letting the game come to us and making the right decisions.

“We just make each other better and respect each other. It doesn’t matter who scores, we’re just a team and want to get the win.”

Winning Head Coach, Mark Clark was happy with his side’s performance. He said: “We’ve just kept a great team to 36 points. We talked all week about defence.

We have talked since Europe that our defence has to be at a different level and it’s getting better every week”

Speaking about MVP Holly Winterburn, he said: “Holly Winterburn is a basketball player. I don’t think you’ve seen her best yet. All I can say is she can get to the levels of Jo Leedham-Warner”

Story – WBBL

Photos – Adam Day

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