THE Inner West Bulls managed to claim their second win of the season in the NBL1 East Women over the weekend, claiming a big win over the Sutherland Sharks on the weekend, thanks to a big performance of Leilani Mitchell.

Coming into Round 6 of the 2023 season, the Sharks were better placed than the Bulls, having secured a spot in the top half of the standings. Sutherland had seven wins next to its name in comparison to Inner West’s one.

However, fans at ELS Hall Park on Saturday night were treated to quite an upset, as the Bulls delivered with one of the most dominant fourth quarter performances of the season. The Sharks trailed by just two points at the final change, but a 34-15 final term in favour of Inner West steered the Bulls to a 21-point triumph.

Mitchell’s impact on the contest was undeniable, and her dominance on the stat sheet reflected the output she delivered for the match.

Inner West Bulls (92) def. Sutherland Sharks (71)

Leilani Mitchell – 40 points, four rebounds, nine assists

Mitchell exploded as she led her Bulls to a crucial second win, taking over the match when it mattered most and showcasing the scoring potential she holds when hitting the court. She delivered a personal season-high points total of 40, making the most of her 100 per cent court time and proving a constant thorn in Sutherland’s side.

Despite producing such a high amount of points, Mitchell was able to do it on some efficient shooting from the field as well. She balanced her shot selection well, which further showcased her arsenal on the offensive end.

Of her 26 shots, half came from inside the arc, while the remaining 13 came from three-point territory. 8/13 from behind the perimeter is a terrific figure, and was a perfect display of how in-form her shooting was.

Mitchell’s three-point shooting was the spark that ignited the Bulls’ remarkable fourth-quarter run, with 22 of her 40 points coming in the final 10 minutes of the game. It was seemingly as if she could not miss, as the 37-year-old put the team on her back.

Although she was the match’s best scorer, Mitchell’s role as a facilitator was still there, as she moved the ball to the bigs inside the paint and her fellow sharpshooters around the perimeter on her way to a game-high nine dimes.

Mitchell was the matchwinner as she single-handedly sparked a dominant run for the Bulls, showing that despite being in the twilight of her career, she has plenty more to give.