WORCESTER Wolves women clinched their first end-of-season play-off appearance as Paula Bayon put in two star displays.

They have won three out of four National League Division Two games this month to make the play-offs with a 59-41 triumph at Mansfield Giants sealing qualification.

Bayon led the way with 21 points thanks to a 77.8 per cent success rate from the three-point line.

Jess Dowles contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds with Toma Pulokatie providing seven assists.

Head coach Ryan Emery said: "We played really well for the full 40 minutes and got the result we wanted.

"We are being far more consistent both on offence and defence and when we do that we are a really tough team to beat."

Fourth-placed Wolves previously beat Sheffield Hallam Hatters 64-45 and Barrow Thorns 57-49 in March.

Wolves then hosted Derbyshire Gems with both teams already in the play-offs and Worcester aiming for third place for a better seeding.

But they were edged out 64-60 at the University of Worcester despite 22 points from Bayon alongside seven rebounds and seven assists.

Pulokatie added 14 points and Shanice Turner 10 in her comeback from injury.

Emery said: "Having two back-to-back weekends caught up with us and we weren’t quite there at the end.

"But these things happen and we can’t let the loss overshadow the achievement of making the play-offs.

"It has been a great journey for all of the players and coaching staff alike. We will continue to get better and make a deep play-off run."

Emery added: "Paula just had two player of the year-type performances.

"Since her return from injury she has shot near to 50 per cent from three-pointers which is unheard of at any level of basketball.

"She deserves to be in the Division Two player-of-the-year conversation."

Wolves finish off the regular season at Derbyshire on Sunday (3.30pm) before the play-offs start on April 1.