LSBU Top Oxford, Lead the South

The much awaited match-up between the two undefeated teams in the BUCS Premier South, Oxford and LSBU went down in London yesterday with LSBU coming away with a two point victory, 82-80.

Oxford boast a roster that includes big man Stephen Danley, former University of Pennsylvania power forward and a good supporting cast of Americans and Europeans whilst LSBU have the core of the Brixton Topcats EBL Division One side plus drafted in their secret weapon, so far unused this season, Mike Martin from the Guilford Heat who enrolled at LSBU this academic year.

Two Arturo Noha free throws in side the last minute gave LSBU a 6 point lead, 80-74. Pocius brought the ball down and hit a deep three to bring Oxford within three. LSBU inbounded the ball to Noha who was fouled again. This time he only made 1 shot and Oxford’s Stephan Danley nailed another deep three with 2.7 seconds remaining to leave the score at 81-80 in favour of LSBU.

An LSBU time out set out the play and saw David Ajumobi receive the inbound to be quickly fouled by Oxford with 1.8 seconds remaining. He made the first foul shot and Armand Anebo rebounded the missed second to give Oxford no chance of the win and allowing LSBU to run out two point victors.

Head Coach Paul Mundy-Castle talking after the game, said;

“We didn’t play well today and our main point guard Karolis Petkus was sick so we struggled with too many turnovers and nobody who was willing to step up and take control of the game. I saw flashes from Ajumobi, and Mike Martin is a great asset to have at this level, but Oxford are a good team who shoot really well and we just could not break free from them. I look forward to the return game in the new year.”

Director of Sport Andy Powlesland said;

“That was a high quality game of basketball that really shows how good student basketball can be, there was standing room only in the bleachers and the LSBU students were loud and vocal in supporting their team in this victory over one of the historical power houses of student sport.”

Topscorers for LSBU were Noha with 20, Martin with 17 and Ajumobi 16 points. Oxford were led by Bauza with 22, Pocius 20 and Danley 13 points.

Elsewhere…

Elsewhere in the Premier South, Brunel finally got their first win of the season, scoring a 20 point rout, 79-58 over Kingston, holding their star point guard Bode Adeluola to just 11 points, whilst Middlesex got their second win of the season, a 20 point victory over London Met (score TBC).