Huddersfield Heat dominated Ipswich Basketball on their way to a 96-63 blow out win to claim the Patrons Cup in Saturday afternoon at UEL Sports Dock.
Despite it being Huddersfield’s fourth national title in five years, no-one expected it to be so one sided.
Julio Sosa scored 20 points, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists on his way to being named MVP, but it was a team effort that saw five players reach double figures
Huddersfield Heat Head Coach Eduardo Perez was visibly ecstatic at picking up the clubs third piece of silverware in two seasons:
“We’re delighted with the way the lads performed out there today! We kept it simple and when we do that we know we’re difficult to beat,” he said.
“There are still some slight tweaks we need to make as we head back into league play but overall I couldn’t be happier.
“I have the utmost respect for Coach Drane and wish him and his team all the best for the rest of the season… They are a tough team.”
This game was billed as the closest and most exciting contest of the day, and early on, it seemed that the game would be the real battle that was expected.
The first quarter was shaky, with neither team able to connect early on, and missing various easy opportunities at the basket as the first quarter ended 20-21.
As the second quarter began, so did Huddersfield’s assault on the rim, tearing out to a ten point lead at the half on the back of some incredible defence around the basket.
With the score 33-43, Ipswich Coach Nick Drane was visibly unimpressed with his side’s performance so far.
Opening the second half, it was as if the Ipswich players needed to go back to the locker room to find whatever passion and heart they had left in there at half-time.
The lack of defence from the Suffolk side allowed Huddersfield’s Spanish pair of Salva Mendez and Julio Sosa to slash to the basket with ease almost completely uncontested and open up a 36 point lead for their team.
In the fourth quarter Ipswich scored just 9 points as they went down to a 63-96 scoreline.
What was billed as a close game, ended up a blowout.
The only player who appeared to show up for Ipswich was Josh Johnson who played well on his way to 25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists.
Image Credit: Huddersfield Heat
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