Makana Stone slashes to the hoop. (Photo property Leicester Riders)
It was like being on a rollercoaster.
The Leicester Riders stormed back from 18 down in the second half Sunday, only to see their playoff game against the Nottingham Wildcats swing back out of control in the late going.
Coupeville’s Makana Stone rippled the nets for a game-tying bucket with seconds to play in the third quarter, but the Wildcats surged in the fourth to capture an 81-69 win in Women’s British Basketball League action.
The quarterfinal loss ends the season for Leicester, which went 18-13 in Stone’s rookie season.
Nottingham advances to play the Sevenoaks Suns in the WBBL semifinals, while the undefeated London Lions play the Caledonia Pride.
Leicester entered the postseason having finished fourth in the 13-team league but struggled early against the #5 Wildcats.
Trailing 27-13 after one quarter of play, the Riders saw the deficit stretch out to 44-28 at the half, before Nottingham topped out at with an 18-point lead early in the third.
Sparked by the play of its American assassin, Leicester chipped away at the lead, eventually getting all the way back when Stone dropped a long jumper with 31 ticks on the clock.
Unfortunately for the Riders, Nottingham rebounded quickly in the fourth quarter, stretching the lead back out to double-digits thanks to strong long-distance shooting.
Stone finished with six points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in her finale.
Hannah Robb and Oceana Hamilton paced the Riders with 19 points apiece, while Nottingham was led by Brooklyn Pannell, who banked in 21.
After stellar runs at Whitman College and Loughborough University, Stone made an auspicious debut as a pro hoops player.
She was a starter most of the season, finishing with 275 points, 193 rebounds, 41 assists, 25 steals, and five blocks.
Coupeville Sports 