Bradford Dragons Women’s Basketball travelled the short journey to Leeds Trinity University College picking up a 42 – 62 win in the Leeds & District Basketball League on Wednesday 1st February versus TASC Ladies.

Following a late running Team Bradford Women’s Basketball 1st Team game, Bradford Dragons raced over to face TASC in the league arriving just before tip off but with the home team waiting for the second referee to turn up the game tipped off much later than planned giving all the players chance to warm up.

In eventually tipping off Aleksandra Mazjakina opened up the scoring making a 3 pointer count, not an easy task in the small gymnasium, quickly followed up with Isalie Bloemen making a close shot to take the early lead 0 – 5.  On such a small court the transition scoring opportunities were limited and with both teams making each other work hard to get open shots it was a battle of rebounds and shooting consistency; Dana Kima hitting 7 of her 12 points in the first quarter plus Laura Moloney fighting for each rebound helped Dragons take the first quarter 9 – 18.  

A 6 – 8 split in the second quarter reflected both teams tough defence plus shots not falling but in the third quarter Dragons stepped it up going on a 0 – 9 run to take the lead 15 – 35.  Laima Smelina made her debut with Dragons hitting 6 of her 11 points in the third quarter helping Dragons extend their lead to 22 points (23 - 45).  As fatigue set in both teams traded baskets in the final quarter, some Dragons players playing their second full game of the day, with Claudia Caramidaru making an excellent reverse layup and Laima hitting a long 2 point shot to finish the game 42 – 62 and Dragons on an 8 – 0 record in the league.

BDWB Scorers = Dana Kima (12), Laima Smelina (11), Isalie Bloemen (10), Aleksandra Mazjakina (9), Sammy Drake (8), Natalia Laing (6 – FTs 0 of 1), Claudia Caramidaru (4), Laura Moloney (2), Charline Poirson & Esther Nabikolo.

Bradford Dragons Women’s Basketball next game is on Sunday 12th February, 4:15pm tip off at Bradford College versus Huddersfield Heat in the England Basketball Women’s National Founders Cup North group!