Semi-final and out for Caledonia Pride

Caledonia Pride missed out on their second major final of 2018 after suffering a heavy defeat in the semi-final of the Women's British Basketball Trophy in Kent on Sunday.

The Edinburgh side had already reached the WBBL Cup Final in January, but they were massive outsiders against league leaders Sevenoaks Suns, who beat them by 38 points at the same venue last November.

History almost repeated itself at the weekend as the Trophy holders won 77-41 to join Leicester Riders in Saturday’s final.

Pride led 4-0 in the opening 40 seconds but trailed by ten points at the end of the first quarter. The gap continued to grow and the visitors were 52-33 behind with ten minutes left after converting only 25 per cent of their shots.

American centre Tricia Oakes grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds for Pride and added 13 points, three assists and two blocks, but captain Cat Carr’s 21 points made Suns easy winners.

“It was too big an ask for us, especially away from home, and Sevenoaks played very well,” admitted Pride head coach Bart Sengers. “I have to add that it was great seeing our five youngest players together on the court at the end. They did well and the future is bright.”

Pride’s next goal is to secure a place in the end-of-season play-offs, and they will resume their league campaign away to Oaklands Wolves on Sat, April 21.