NBL Division Two North Worcester Wolves 54 Ipswich 75 Ipswich Women got their league season underway with an impressive win on the road at a talented Worcester Wolves team.
The Suffolk side started the game much like the previous week, with a 9-0 run, with Harriet Welham and Danni Cazey on fire to start the game.
Before Worcester knew what was going on, Ipswich had extended the lead to 18-2. By the end of the period Ipswich led 30-10, and the lead remained much the same for the rest of the contest.
In the second quarter the Suffolk side got valuable minutes from their bench as Jess Baker connected from range while Ines Bowman-Boyles also provided a massive spark.
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The onslaught continued as Ipswich who took a 51-23 lead into the break.
The third quarter was the polar opposite, with Ipswich finding baskets difficult to come by, missing several easy shots around the basket as the Wolves began to chip away at the Ipswich lead.
Jazz Tebbit connected on a much needed three, while Maya Price held down the middle – meaning that although Worcester were closing the gap, it was not by a great deal and Ipswich still led 61-40 at the end of the period.
The fourth quarter teased the spectators with a comeback from the home side who brought things within 15 with five minutes to play, but after an Ipswich time out the visitors went on a run, led by the scoring of Welham and Esther Little.
That, combined with some key defensive plays by Price allowed Ipswich to extend their lead back to 21 as the Suffolk side followed their impressive debut last week with an important win on the road.
Head coach Nick Drane said: “I thought we did some excellent things again today. We showed some real grit to grind a tough road win out against a talented and well-organised team.”
Welham led Ipswich with 34 points, while Danni Cazey added 14. Price collected 17 rebounds and seven blocks to go with eight points and three assists while Little added eight points and 16 boards.
Ipswich travel to Mansfield on Saturday to play their second league game of the season before facing Division One Loughborough Riders in the National Cup on Sunday.
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