Barbados Today

University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds made it look easy when they defeated Hoopsters 52-25 in round two of the No. 1 Beauty Supply and Beauty Exchange-sponsored Barbados Amateur Basketball Association’s Women’s League.

Contested last night at the Barbados Community College, UWI led at the end of the first three quarters 19-8, 27-12 and 46-23 thanks to the efforts of Tiffany Thorpe who top scored with 15 points and Jada Saunders who chipped in with eight.

Thorpe and Saunders had several rebounds between them and Thorpe was the one who got UWI off the mark with two three pointers in the opening quarter. Ivanna Odle was the only player for Hoopsters to reach double figures with 11 points while Tatyana Waldron contributed six.

UWI’s women did not earn as many trips to the free throw line as Hoopsters but Hoopsters did not make the best use of these opportunities and missed a high percentage from the charity strip. UWI’s defence clicked throughout and the team did well collectively to keep Hoopsters out of the paint for easy baskets. Keisha Corbin and Sada Haynes were outstanding on the defensive end.

In the other game played reigning queens Station Hill Cavaliers continued their unbeaten run with a 71-52 victory over St John Sonics. Shooting guard Maria Cumberbatch proved unstoppable for Sonics’ defence and ended with a game-high 32 points. Cavalier had the advantage throughout and led 12-11, 34-22 and 52-36 after the first three quarters. Ria Phillips had seven assists, five rebounds and 14 points in a sterling all-round effort for the Cavs while teammate Safiya Henry chipped in with13 points. Tamisha Flatts ended with eight points for Cavaliers and  ten rebounds

Wanda Small put in a good effort of 23 points for Sonics and Rosalind Davis added 15 but they had little help and theirs was not enough to stop the giants of female basketball on the island. Cumberbatch added 18 rebounds and four assists to her points tally.

Tiffany Husbands who usually stars for Sonics did not really show up and managed just eight points with six of those coming in the third quarter. Action will continue tomorrow at the Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m.