
Makana Stone threw down a 20-point, 26-rebound performance Saturday in England. (Photo property of Loughborough University)
The wrecking crew has arrived.
Going on the road Saturday, Coupeville’s Makana Stone delivered maybe her most explosive basketball performance since arriving in England.
The former Wolf went off for 20 points, 26 rebounds, six steals, four blocked shots, and three assists as she helped Loughborough University avenge an earlier-season loss.
Using a fourth-quarter run to pull away in a nail-biter, the Riders exited with a 73-64 victory against host Worcester.
That was sweet payback for an overtime loss in November, a game in which refs fouled out Stone and another key Loughborough player right before the extra period.
This time around, the zebras were more realistic, assessing just two fouls on Coupeville’s progeny as she played all but 35 seconds of the game.
With the win, Loughborough improves to 8-3 overall, 8-1 with Stone in the lineup, and 8-0 in games where she’s allowed to play until the final buzzer.
Saturday’s rematch went back-and-forth until the Riders pulled away in the final nine minutes of the game.
Trailing 21-19 after one quarter, and 36-35 at the half, Loughborough slipped back in front 50-49 headed to the game’s final frame.
Worcester had one last push, briefly pulling ahead 54-50, then fell apart as Stone took control down the stretch.
Pumping in 10 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter, she sparked Loughborough to a 23-10 finish to seal the deal.
The Riders cracked Worcester with a 12-0 run, with Stone banking home a team-best five points during the surge.
She now has a double-double in all nine games she’s played in England, and sits with 156 points, 147 rebounds, 20 assists, 31 steals, and five blocks on the season.
The Riders, who played Saturday without big-time basket producers Robyn Ainge and Katie Januszewska, got 20 points from Molly James and 11 out of Hannah Bird in support of Stone.
Loughborough, which is second in the National Basketball League behind Ipswich (9-1), returns to action next Saturday, March 13, when it hosts winless BA London.
I think there was 12 seconds left on the clock when the teams left the floor for a double time out and the announcer said in reference to Makana, “ She’s not Stone anymore, she’s a Boulder”. ❤️😊