Round 6 results: Women 1 suffer first defeat of the season

After five league wins in a row, Women 1 suffered their first defeat of the season on Sunday: 86-67 at Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden. It was the only United team in action this weekend. Because Grasshoppers lost too, things stay tight at the top of the Women’s Basketball League: next week brings the showdown in Katwijk.

Women 1 lose in Leiden: 86-67

On Sunday afternoon Women 1 had the chance to go top of the WBL on their own, but let it slip. The first quarter decided the game: Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden won it 26-11 and never trailed again after that. United cut the margin to 11 in the second quarter (45-34 at halftime, the quarter itself won 23-19), but in the third Leiden stretched the lead back to 21 points (67-46). The final quarter (16-14 to Leiden) changed nothing. According to the game sheet, United led for just 53 seconds.

Cassie Joli-Coeur and Kaylee Borden top-scored for United with 15 points each. Cassie hit 6 of 9 two-pointers and grabbed four offensive rebounds, while Kaylee added three assists and two steals. Natalie Pasco scored 11 points (4 for 4 from the free-throw line), Yfke Hoek 10 and Nienke Slot 7, with five offensive rebounds in 22 minutes. Moniek Meeringa picked up five fouls in under 18 minutes.

What the numbers say

The differences are in the details. Leiden shot far better from the field (47.6% against 34.7%) and scored 46 points in the paint to United’s 30. All five of Leiden’s threes came from a single player, who scored 19 points in total. United committed 27 fouls to Leiden’s 17, which put the home side on the free-throw line 30 times (21 made) against 22 for United (12 made). The bench made a difference too: 28 points for Leiden, 10 for United. On the boards it was even (43-43), helped by 22 offensive rebounds, and turnovers were level as well (15 for both teams).

Coach Tjin-A-Koeng: ‘We win or we learn’

According to a newspaper report by Eugène Janssen, head coach Gregory Tjin-A-Koeng’s conclusion afterwards was: “We win or we learn.” He saw three causes: an off day on United’s side, a fanatical Leiden, and a feeling that the officiating wasn’t going their way. United have to learn to deal with those last two. On the lead in the table he said he isn’t concerned: the bigger goal this season is the process the team is in and making the play-offs, and this is a good lesson for that. Against physical play United have to react smarter; this time it led to far too many fouls, and that has to be different next time.

This article will be updated with input from the coaching staff.

Showdown in Katwijk

Grasshoppers lost 71-81 to Den Helder Suns on Saturday. As a result Grasshoppers and United are both on 5 wins and 1 defeat (10 points), with Grasshoppers on top on points difference for now. Den Helder Suns follow two points behind at 4-2. This coming Saturday United travel to Grasshoppers: a direct fight for first place, against a Grasshoppers side that lost the Supercup to United 79-71 in September.

Fixtures next week

Only Women 1 played this weekend; next week all teams are back in action.

Saturday 31 October

• 11:00 — Women U21 vs. River Trotters
• 11:30 — Lokomotief 2 vs. Men U19-2
• 16:30 — Men U14 vs. Tracks Parkstad
• 18:45 — GBI van Dijk Grasshoppers vs. Women 1
• 19:30 — Men 1 vs. De Groene Uilen

Sunday 1 November

• 14:00 — Heroes Den Bosch vs. Men U19-1
• 16:15 — BC Triple ThreaT vs. Men U16