Differences in the performance indicators of winning and losing women's basketball teams during home/away games

This study purported to identify which game-related statistics allow winning teams to be differentiated from losing teams according to game location. To do so, 182 games from 2004-2005 women's basketball regular season were analysed. First, ball possessions (BP) and the offensive efficiency coefficient (OEC) were calculated, after which the following game-related statistics were recorded: 2 and 3-point field goals (both successful and unsuccessful), free throws (both successful and unsuccessful), offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks, assists, fouls, turnovers and steals. Afterwards, the variables were normalised according to game ball possessions and multiplied by 100. The multivariate analysis results showed: 1 degrees) the variables that discriminated between winning and losing teams were assists, successful 2-point field goals and defensive rebounds. 2 degrees) the variables that discriminated between winners and losers when they played at home were defensive rebounds, assists, steals, and successful 2-points field goals and 3 degrees) 2-point field goals, unsuccessful 3-point field goals, successful free throws and defensive rebounds were the determining factors of success in away games. Regardless of game location, winners showed higher percentages of 2-point field goals (49%), 3-point field goals (38%) and free throws (70%) than losing teams did. Coaches should use these results to prepare exercises and tasks to improve game performance and sport psychologists should use them when designing intervention programs.