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Photos: Ellen Rawlins
York women’s basketball 1sts were knocked out of the BUCS Northern Conference Cup in a brutal quarter-final battle.
Things looked rosy for the York at the halfway stage as they developed a 29-16 lead. But Northumbria hit back from the very start of the third quarter and took a 38-42 lead going into the final quarter.
York rallied bravely with captain Janne Billiet scoring 9 points, but sadly it was not enough as Northumbria progressed to the semi-finals at York’s expense.
The first quarter was a cagey affair as both sides eased themselves into the match. Federica Beretta gave York an instant lead with a lay-up before an Achilles injury to a Northumbria player led to a lengthy delay.
A few exemplary baskets were scored by both sides to make it 4-4 before Northumbria took the lead for the first time to make it 4-6.
But York ended the first quarter with a 12-10 lead. Grace Liv unerringly basketed two free throws and Ella Mukerji scored three times thanks to the incisive passing of Billiet.
The start of the second quarter saw the game take on a more physical edge. Marta Marščionkaitė was involved in a couple of confrontations with the big Northumbrian number 11 and tempers occasionally flared.
Marščionkaitė played some inspired basketball, however, holding off flailing Northumbrian limbs to score twice and establish a 16-12 lead for York.
Christin Kirchhuebel scored on two lightning counter-attacks and Lydie Mariutto got her first points of the game to make it 22-12.
Northumbria’s bench was chanting ‘Defence! Defence!’ a little more forlornly by this stage as Billiet profited from Kirchhuebel’s excellent work-rate to score twice and Mariutto got another to give York a healthy 13-point advantage at 29-16.
But Northumbria reacted with poisonous intent at the start of the third quarter. York weren’t helped by a head injury to the influential Federica Baretta as Northumbria’s play became more barbarous.
Northumbria were cutting through York too easily and levelled the scores at 29-29 within minutes. ‘Defence! Defence!’ reached fever pitch in the Main Hall.
York partially recovered the situation as Mariutto and Kirchhuebel scored some points but Northumbria led 38-40 going into the final quarter.
Northumbria were first out of the blocks again, though, with a superb shot and lay-up leaving York further behind.
Billiet admirably tried to drag her team out of the mess, scoring two neat baskets, a lay-up from a rebound and another finish from a Baretta pass to make the score 46-48 with two minutes remaining.
Northumbria’s confidence was not rocked, however, as they continually went for ambitious shots; one paid off to make it 46-50.
Billiet and a Northumbria player exchanged free throws but time eventually ran out for York as the final score read 47-51 to Northumbria.
Afterwards, a frustrated Billiet said: ‘We played really well, but if the referee doesn’t call the fouls what can you do?’
It’s back to league duties next Wednesday when York face Sheffield 1sts as they resume their quest for promotion.
Vision MOTM: Janne Billiet