A brilliant comeback saw the University of Sheffield emphatically defeat Sheffield Hallam University on the final day of Varsity.
Despite Hallam taking an early lead, Sheffield battled back to win by double digits, outscoring its opponent by 41 points after the first quarter.
As the crowd poured into Canon Medical Area, Sheffield only continued to build upon its lead, leaving Hallam playing catch up for the rest of the fixture.
Hallam jumped out to an early lead after a quick bucket and turnover by Sheffield led to points in transition, before Rita Morina scored Sheffield’s first three-pointer of the game.
Hallam closed out the first quarter with a three-point lead off the back of a nine-point effort by McDowell but a strong second quarter for Sheffield saw it outscore Hallam 14 points to six. The early tie was broken after Emily Atkinson scored the first of her first of two triples, giving Sheffield its first lead of the game.
Consecutive baskets by Aziz and Rainton saw the lead extend to a comfortable five points for Sheffield going into halftime.
Sheffield controlled the game coming out of the half, allowing only 12 points in the final two quarters. Hallam’s leading scorers, Richards and McDowell, did their best to bring Hallam back into the game, but turnovers and missed rebounds led to easier scores for Sheffield.
Chloe Scofield began the second half by driving the basket early and often, drawing two quick fouls, but was unable to capitalise on her free throw attempts.
However, Hallam did not go down easily. A beautiful assist from Lydia Shaw set up Ashante Richards who banked in the easy layup.
Despite best efforts to cut the lead down, Hallam was unable to score off the back of a turnover. Shaw went up for a seemingly easy layup, but good defensive hustle by Emily Atkinson forced the miss. The ensuing Hallam offensive possession was thwarted after Schofield wrested the ball away.
Sheffield went into the final quarter with a commanding lead, and allowed just five points.
As the Sheffield crowd felt the victory coming, the cheers and chants erupted with each made basket. By the time the final horn of the game sounded, Sheffield had erased its early deficit to win 55-35.
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Featured Image Credit: @uoswb via Instagram