Nottingham Wildcats are looking to make a late play-off push after winning half of the games in their double-header this past weekend.
The Wildcats claimed a comfortable 81-68 win against Caledonia Pride on Saturday but suffered a disappointing 75-69 loss to Gloucester City Queens the day after.
The game against the Pride began as a close encounter, with both sides easing into the game and the first quarter ending 19-17.
Nottingham started the second quarter with good ball movement and consistent shooting, seeing them go up by as much as 12.
However, a 10-point quarter from Caledonia forward Sian Phillips kept the game close and reduced the lead to six at half-time.
The start of the second half saw much of the same, with the Wildcats continuing their play and adding to the lead. The team then hit a slump and failed to score in the final five minutes of the third quarter, allowing the Pride to cut the lead to just three.
Having gone back-and-forth, an inspired Nottingham started the final quarter with a motivation to win. The side went on a 15-point run, led by captain Jahnae Gayle and Shaunay Edmonds who finished with 21 and 15 points respectively.
The Pride continued to battle but the Wildcats were able to hold on to their lead and close out for the 81-68 victory.
They went into the next day with a game against the team one place below them, Gloucester City Queens.
The match-up began with Nottingham jumping out to a 9-0 lead, but the Queens soon woke up and ended the first quarter 13-17.
The West Country outfit continued to close the lead as they went on an 18-3 run to finish the first half up five.
Gloucester’s deep squad proved difficult for the Wildcats, with five players finishing in double-digit scoring, while the Wildcats relied on their starters.
However, Nottingham, who are joint leaders in rebounds per game, were relentless in their pursuit of their ball- grabbing nearly 60 rebounds for the game. Their efforts served them well as they closed out the third quarter 49-51.
The Queens exploded for a 26-point fourth quarter, but the Wildcats continued efforts kept the game at 65-65 with less than two minutes left.
An important three from Bianca Osas-Maxwell in the last minute gave her side the lead, which they held onto to hand Nottingham a 75-69 loss.
The two results see the Wildcats sit 8th in the table with a record of four wins and eight losses. After suffering a disappointing loss to Gloucester, Nottingham will look to bounce back as they make a late push for a play-off spot.
The team’s push for play-offs will start with their next fixture against fifth place Manchester Met Mystics next month.
