Varsity 2025: Warwick’s women’s basketball secures a victory over Coventry

Following the men’s basketball victory during the morning fixture, the women’s Game became centered on redemption and domination. Everyone was excited to see whether Coventry could even the scoreboard or if the Warwick Bears would guarantee success.

The Bears, in their last league game for the team, endured a 54-67 loss and were hungry for a win, especially in their first game in Varsity in years. Both teams engaged in intense warm-ups and received pep-talks in the final minute before the game.

In the opening play, Coventry secured possession of the ball and, in the first 10 seconds, was able to score a huge 3-pointer. This immediate lead was consolidated, following a missed pass from the Bears, with a 2-pointer from Coventry’s No. 14.

Following 2 whistles for the Bears, Coventry regained possession of the ball on their side of the court. Coventry’s No. 4 made a close shot, which preceded Warwick regaining possession of the ball. An intricate play was made, with 3 missing her shot, but the ball was secured by 27, allowing passes for 8 to make a shot.

A ruckus occurred on court, with numerous players on the floor, and following the reset, although Coventry had the ball, a blundered pass allowed Warwick to have control. No. 27 makes a great shot, so incredibly close, but the ball gets stuck between the net and the backboard. Soon after, Coventry missed their shot, and Warwick’s No. 1 was able to gain the ball and make the full length of the court. Unfortunately, they similarly missed but were granted a free throw.

No. 8 shot for two free throws, made both shots, and thus achieved 2 points for Warwick. Just like that, we’re on the board – The score 2-5 to Coventry.

With this development, the energy on the court, and from spectators heightens, as Coventry’s No. 15 makes a 2 pointer. This was quickly met with retaliation from Warwick, with No. 3 and No. 8 working in conjunction to secure an opposing 2-pointer. After a few plays and some substitutions, Warwick was provided with another free throw and gained an additional point, and Coventry made another 2-pointer. 

In the onset of the 2nd quarter, Warwick secured 3 consecutive 2 pointers in the first minute of the game

This early lead from Coventry did not dissuade the Bears from persevering, as through another 2-pointer and a free throw, the initial advantage was lost, and the game all tied up.

The intensity was paramount, with an insane interception by Coventry seemingly swaying the tide of the game in their favour, but with Warwick’s No. 1 able to regain possession, their advantage became threatened as 23 goes for a diabolic 3 pointer and nails it, bringing the Bears into the lead 12-9.

Coventry, under pressure, attempted for a 2, followed by a 3 pointer to reestablish their lead, but both were unsuccessful. Similarly, in the last minute, Warwick hungry to extend their lead before the quarter ends, attempts for a greedy 3 pointer, but misses. At the end of the quarter, with the score 12-9, Warwick was in the lead, but it was an incredibly close game.

In the onset of the 2nd quarter, Warwick secured 3 consecutive 2 pointers in the first minute of the game, from No. 17, 5 and 15, bringing their lead to double Coventry’s score – 18:9. Coventry’s No. 15 attempts to recover their score, bringing them to double digits with a free throw, but Warwick was unforgiving, and through incredible dynamic play between 10 and 5, achieved another 2 pointer, keeping the score double at 20:10.

Coventry made some incredible attempts, and demonstrated high level skill, but Warwick was hitting right on the money, gaining 2 additional 2 pointers from No. 18 and 5 before Coventry was able to make a shot (24:10).

After a brief break, Coventry was reignited with energy, and able to secure a 2 pointer, a free throw and a crucial 3 pointer from No. 9 – bringing their score up to 16. This lit a fire under the Bears, which led to, following numerous interceptions, a 3 pointer from No. 3 to reestablish their strong lead.

Coventry was able to find a nice opening on the court, as they possess the ball, and secure a clean 2 pointer through their strong teamwork. They followed this with another 2 pointer, and a free throw – but this was matched with a 3 pointer from Warwick. In the approach to half time, Coventry secured further points in the last 40 seconds of the quarter bringing the score to 30-24, with Warwick maintaining their lead.

During the 3rd quarter, it was undeniable that Coventry was itching to redeem themselves and resecure the early lead they previously possessed. In opposition, Warwick wanted to maintain and strengthen their advantage. Coventry’s 11 made a great shot, but it bounced out the hoop, allowing Warwick’s 23 to make a 2 pointer for the Bears.

Warwick took this momentum, with No. 23 achieving a monumental 3 pointer which entrenched their lead. In the next few minutes, while the game was embedded with spicy interceptions and incredibly close shots, no points were secured until an interception was made by Warwick’s No. 8 who bags a 2 pointer. Coventry’s 11 retaliates with incredible intensity with a 2 pointer, and amongst some free throws the score becomes 40-26.

Three minutes passed with no change in score, but the court was infested with intensity 

The Bears, taking advantage of an interception which didn’t follow through, demonstrated strong teamwork between 23 and 3 to bring Warwick’s score to 42. The intensity on the court was unmatched, the dedication and passion demonstrated by both teams was so admirable. Following a brief heated interaction between the teams, Warwick puts this heat into the game, making strides in their score through another 3, and two 2s to bring them to 49.

At this point, it seems unlikely that Coventry can bring this back, but their fight and determination says otherwise. In the wake of some substitutions, Coventry’s 11 secured a free throw, which they hoped would be the spark of their upswing. It seemingly was, with another free throw, and three 2 pointers, one occurring in the last minute of the quarter. One more free throw was secured by each team at the end of the quarter, leaving Coventry in a battle to overcome a 14-point deficit in the final quarter – 50:36

The final quarter, the final spurt of energy. Warwick, in the first 20 seconds, extended their lead with a 2 pointer, but this was mirrored by Coventry in the following 10 seconds, and a free throw reduced their disadvantage to 13. Coventry’s 11, who had seemingly been their star player this game, made a 2 pointer to bring their score into the 40’s. Soon after a missed free throw, however, Warwick got a 2 pointer restoring their 13-point lead.

Three minutes passed with no change in score, but the court was infested with intensity, and anticipation continued to rise in the advent of penalties and interceptions. The stagnancy was broken by a Warwick free throw, followed swiftly by a 2. Coventry’s 11 returned fire with a 2 pointer, but this was hit back with a 3 pointer from Warwick, with the score becoming 60:43.

With 3 minutes on the clock, Coventry put everything out there, with a 3 pointer, and two more 2 pointers to bring their score to 50. Was this the comeback we had been waiting for?

With 1 minute 30 on the clock, Warwick were successful with a 3 pointer, bringing their lead back to the fabled 13.

With 1 minute on the clock, Coventry made two 2 pointers to up their score to 54.

The game concludes, with the last point gain being Warwick with a 2, making the result 65:43 to Warwick. An incredible game, making Warwick victorious in basketball.