Coupeville’s Makana Stone had 15 points and eight rebounds in a pro hoops game Sunday in England. (Photo property Leicester Riders)
She gave them hope until the end.
Coupeville’s Makana Stone poured in 15 points Sunday, including hitting a three-ball with just six ticks to play, but it wasn’t quite enough to save the Leicester Riders.
Unable to hold on to an early lead, the Riders eventually fell 84-80 to the visiting Essex Rebels in Women’s British Basketball League action.
The loss drops Leicester to 11-7 in league play, 15-9 overall.
Stone and Co. put together their best offensive stretch of the game in the opening period, jumping out to a 30-25 lead by the first break.
Essex proved to be scrappy, however, retaking the lead at 49-46 heading to the halftime break, before clinging to a 63-62 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
The Rebels stretched the margin back out to as many as eight points in the final frame, before Leicester made a late run to keep things interesting.
Stone drilled the bottom out of the net to cut the deficit to 83-80, but Essex hit one final free throw and time ran out on the Riders.
Leicester spread its offense around, with Oceana Hamilton leading the way with a team-high 18 points.
Brooklyn Mcalear rattled the rims for 16, Stone added eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal to her 15 points, and Hannah Robb popped the nets for 13.
Essex was led by the one-two combo of Claire Paxton and Ashleigh Munns, who each finished with 20.
Stone, who is in her first season of pro hoops after stellar high school and college careers, has racked up 197 points, 143 rebounds, 33 assists, 22 steals, and two blocked shots on the season.
Leicester returns to action next Saturday, Apr. 9, when it faces off with the Nottingham Wildcats.
Coupeville Sports 
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