Gustafson praised her staff’s togetherness after securing the victory.
“It’s unimaginable to be with this staff and get this win,” she instructed Sky Sports activities.
“I’ve to present Essex plenty of credit score, they fought arduous and gave us plenty of challenges.
“I am pleased with this staff. It means a lot. We have now nice chemistry and that makes this extra particular.”
The Lions raced right into a commanding lead, ending the primary quarter 26-13 forward. Essex weren’t medical sufficient and have been recurrently punished by an environment friendly London assault. Gustafson hit a three-pointer as they scored 11 unanswered factors.
However Essex, competing of their first remaining, rallied within the second quarter, with Dayzsha Rogan, who completed with a private haul of 15 factors, throwing two threes to keep up the 13-point deficit on the midway level, along with her aspect 48-35 down.
A primary-half three-point share of fifty% stored Essex aggressive as London have been wasteful with their makes an attempt, changing only one from 11.
However with 11 turnovers and 6 Lions steals by half-time, the story of Essex’s recreation was laid naked.
Each time there was a component of stress on them, although, the Lions discovered one other gear after the restart led by the 27-year-old Gustafson. They ended the third quarter main 66-46.
Essex’s defence stayed resolute within the remaining quarter, however London nonetheless added one other 17 factors to their whole, the spotlight of which got here when substitute Kat Snytsina threw an excellent three-pointer late on.