Coupeville Sports

Coupeville’s Makana Stone had a double-double in her regular season finale. (Photo property Leicester Riders)

It was a wild finish to the regular season.

Fighting for a playoff berth Sunday, the Manchester Met Mystics pulled out a last-second 102-97 overtime win over the Leicester Riders.

It wasn’t enough however, as Manchester was eliminated from postseason contention anyway, while the Riders and Coupeville ace Makana Stone are still playoff-bound.

Even with the loss, Leicester claims fourth place in the 13-team Women’s British Basketball League with a 14-10 record.

The Riders, 18-12 overall, open the postseason Sunday, May 1 against the fifth-seeded Nottingham Wildcats (12-12).

A victory will propel Stone and Co. into a semifinal matchup against the winner of a game between the #1 London Lions (24-0) and #8 Durham Palatinates (11-13).

London is only the second team in WBBL history to finish the regular season undefeated.

Sunday’s finale was a donnybrook from start to finish, with both teams refusing to bend.

Manchester snatched a 25-20 lead after one quarter of play, stretched the advantage out to 45-39 at the half, then held on for a 64-58 lead heading into the fourth.

Leicester came up big at the end, however, forcing overtime with the teams knotted at 83-83.

One of the biggest shots of the final regular frame came courtesy Stone, who rippled the nets on a three-ball with less than two minutes to play.

In the extra five-minute period, Leicester staked itself to a 97-96 lead with 49 seconds to play after Oceana Hamilton drained a pair of free throws.

Manchester responded with a jumper to retake the lead, though, then netted four free throws in the final moments while the Riders clanked their final four field goal opportunities.

Stone had another strong performance, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds, while also connecting on three assists.

Anna Lappenkuper netted 29 to pace Leicester, while Manchester gunner Erika Williams smoked the nets for a game-high 39, including eight treys.

With at least one more game left in her rookie season of professional basketball, Stone has tallied 269 points, 187 rebounds, 40 assists, 24 steals, and three blocks.