Manchester Mystics claim first-ever National Cup crown with controversial last-gasp win
Manchester Mystics won their first title in the competition’s 61-year history with a dramatic 84-83 victory over London Cavaliers on Sunday at University of Worcester Arena.
Chloe Andrew held her nerve to sink two free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining, but the game-winning trip to the line came courtesy of a controversial foul call on the rebound.
With Manchester trailing 83-82 and 2.5 seconds left, London forward Helen Trailin missed both free throws that could have sealed the win. As players battled for the rebound, Andrew was adjudged to have been fouled by Trailin, sending the Manchester product to the line for the decisive moment.
Kizzy Spence went off in the first half, knocking down six threes for 23 of her game-high 31 points for Manchester, Andrew added 20, but Success Odemwingie was named MVP with 16 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.
“The game was so nervy, I don’t know how to describe the feeling right now,” said head coach Rob Fairley.
“They stuck together so well. There’s a lot [from the performance to be proud of]. Nat [Feurtado] and Rehana [Khalil] accepting the trophy. They coach our junior teams. They’ve come up through the system and for them to be at this stage of their careers [and win a national trophy], I’m so proud of them.
“And then from the flip side, you’ve got the young [Mystics] in a national final for the first time and to be able to pull it through at the end there is just awesome.”
Janice Monakana had 29 points and 11 rebounds and Mrashi Karumba-Roberts had an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double, as the Cavaliers nearly had their first Cup Final victory since 2022/23, falling agonisingly short.
It was a successful weekend for Manchester, also claiming the U16 boys and U16 girls National Cup titles.
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