Around the NBL - Week 7 - Hoopsfix.com

Around the NBL – Week 7

Check out our latest round-up of all the action across the four divisions of the NBL:

National Cup

Manchester Magic will meet the holders Reading Rockets in the final of the National Cup, in Sheffield next month. Reading fought back from an 10-point deficit in the final quarter to defeat Worthing Thunder 82-74. Alex Zurn top scored for the hosts with 20 points, while Milton Chavis had 26 in vain. Manchester fell at the semi-final hurdle last year, but avoided a repeat scenario as they saw off the challenge of D2 side London Lituanica 73-57. The hosts trailed 16-11 at the end of the first, but responded with a 25-12 second and never looked back. Alvaro Alarcon Lizaur led Magic with 19 points, Jack Minister scored 16, and Ryan Lohfink added 15 points and 11 rebounds. The visitors were led by Ausridas Petraitis’ double-double of 15 points and 16 boards.

Division One

Essex Leopards (5-0) halted the charge of leaders Derby Trailblazers (8-2) and continued their perfect start with a 92-89 win on the road, in overtime. The visitors trailed by as many as fourteen points in the final quarter, before rallying to force the game beyond regulation. David Ajuombi led the way with 23 points, while Will Ashby and Albert Margai contributed 18 points apiece. Kent Crusaders (4-1) maintained their solid run of form with a 90-74 home success against Westminster Warriors (2-6), led by Tola Akomolafe’s 22 point with Josh Steel dishing out seven assists alongside his 19 points.

Chavis poured in 29 points to lead Worthing Thunder (3-5) to an 87-85 win against Hemel Storm (4-4). Hank Rivers added another double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds, with Louis Allen scoring 13 including a couple of clutch free throws at the death. The visitors were led by Carl Josey, who finished with 23 points and 11 boards.

Nick Rhodes had a game-high 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent D1 basement side NASSA (1-5) fall to a 77-59 loss at home to Bradford Dragons (2-6). In the final game, Leicester Warriors (4-2) picked up a 90-83 win against Tees Valley Mohawks (2-6), thanks in large to a dominant second period.

Division Two

Ipswich (7-1) stay top of the league after continuing their winning run with a 86-72 victory away at Birmingham Mets. Derbyshire Arrows (6-3) moved into second with a successful double-header on the road, first beating Eastside Eagles (2-5) 89-64, before winning 97-86 against London United (1-5). Cameron McCallum starred with 39 points in the second of the two wins having combined for 52 points with Corey Standerfer the previous day. Brixton Topcats (3-4) also did the business on the road, claiming a 60-56 win away at Loughborough Student Riders (4-4).

Division Three

Nottingham Hoods (10-1) are the new outright leaders in D3 North after inflicting a first loss on Liverpool (9-1) with a 72-67 victory. Elsewhere, City of Sheffield Saints (5-5) defeated Hull Wasps (2-6) 72-66, Team Birmingham (5-5) picked up a 68-59 win away at Sheffield Sabres (2-7) and Leeds Allerton High Force (2-7) lost 66-60 at home to Thames Valley Mohawks II (1-9) as the visitors claimed their first win. On Sunday, Mansfield Giants (4-6) battled back from a 10-point deficit heading into the final quarter to defeat Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights (6-4) 95-93 with a combined 60 points coming from dynamic duo Calvin Morant-Hudson and Mike Buffalo.

In the South, just one game was completed with Thames Valley Cavaliers (7-2) joining two other teams on 14 points after beating Barking Abbey (1-8) 91-65. One of those teams being Plymouth Raiders II (7-2) as they were awarded a 20-0 victory over Middlesex LTBC (3-6).

Division Four

Mysercough College Giants (8-1) moved back level on points at the top after a crushing 114-45 victory away at Kendal Warriors (1-8) in the North. Prestons College (6-3) also picked up an important win on the road, beating Lancashire Spinners II (3-6) 80-69.

In the East Midlands, Brentwood Fire (5-2) suffered a shock 76-74 loss at home to Hertfordshire Warriors (2-5) to lose ground on top spot.

Doncaster Danum Eagles (6-0) are still unbeaten in the Midlands after easing past the challenge of Nottingham Hoods II (2-7) 77-48 away from home. Derby Trailblazers III (4-3) edged out Sheffield Hallam Sharks (3-4) 62-60 on the road, while there was another away win on Sunday as Sporting Club Albion (4-3) saw off Birmingham Mets II (3-5) 77-58.

Sussex Bears (7-1) moved to the top in the South-East group after their 65-54 win away at Kent Crusaders II (4-3) was followed by a 103-79 loss for BC Crawley United (7-2) away at Greenwich Titans (5-2). Twickenham Tigers (2-5) claimed their second win by beating London Greenhouse Pioneers II (0-7) 95-84, while Brighton Cougars (5-2) cruised to an 80-54 win at London Westside II (1-7), and Folkestone Saints (4-5) crushed London United II (2-8) 93-50.

Finally, in the South-West, Oxford Brookes University (9-0) extended their perfect start at the expense of inner-city rivals Oxford Stealers (3-6) winning 92-75. Bristol Academy Flyers II (6-3) climbed to third with a 80-60 win away at Southampton University (0-9), and Bristol Storm (3-5) were beaten 87-79 at home to Woking Blackhawk Flyers (4-5).

National Shield

The quarter-finals took place at the weekend with all four home sides progressing to the last four. Liverpool were the most emphatic victors with an 87-60 success over Hackney White Heat, while Nottingham Hoods edged out Thames Valley Cavaliers 89-84 despite 35 points from Perre. Oxford Brookes University continued their momentum from a perfect league start with a 102-90 win against College of West Anglia Fury, and Team Newcastle University defeated Derby Trailblazers II 87-70.

Semi-final draw: Liverpool v Nottingham Hoods; Team Newcastle University v Oxford Brookes University

*both games scheduled to take place on January 18th

Get to any games? Anything worth mentioning? Let us know in the comments!

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