GREEKS END GB’S HOME RUN

Great Britain’s women sustained a narrow 69-66 defeat to Greece on Monday in the final game of the Standard Life British Basketball Invitational Tournament in Guildford.

But there were plenty of positives to take from three home friendlies this weekend as the countdown to EuroBasket continues.

Lauren Thomas-Johnson downed a basket at the buzzer that gave the home side a 34-32 half-time lead and in the third period, the Sheffield Hatters guard hit a jumper that put the hosts as much as 50-42 in front.

However an 8-2 run from the Greeks closed the gap headed into the fourth quarter and although the teams were level at 61-61 with two minutes left, a 6-0 run ultimately proved decisive with GB unable to force overtime with a final shot.

“I think Greece started by setting the tone and then we came out and finished the half really well,” said Dominique Allen, who scored a team-best 10 points.

“It’s been an amazing weekend, we’ve only been together for two or three weeks. I think it’s been a great tournament and now we’ve got stuff to work on before next weekend.”

The win for Greece confirmed them as tournament winners, Great Britain finished second, with Germany finishing third following their 72-67 win over Israel on Monday.

Great Britain conclude their pre-EuroBasket schedule next weekend when they head to Sweden for a three-team tournament, where they will take on the hosts as well as Turkey and Latvia.

Team officials will now wait to see whether Jo Leedham clears waivers in the WNBA following her release on the eve of the season.

However there are hopes the Cheshire-born guard, who has remained in the USA, will join up with the squad later this week.