Around the NBL - Week 15 - Hoopsfix.com

Around the NBL – Week 15

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

Division One

D1 leaders Kent Crusaders (11-3) came from behind to beat title rivals Essex Leopards (10-4) 80-75 after overtime. Kent kept their opponents scoreless for the final four minutes whilst cancelling out an 8-point deficit to force the extra period at 67-67. Adetola Akomolafe had a huge game with 16 points and 15 boards, while Akwasi Yeboah also double-doubled with 21/12 and Calvin Nevil-Kintu added 19 from the bench. For the visitors, Will Ashby drained 5-9 from downtown for a team-high 21 points.

In another top of the table clash, Derby Trailblazers (11-4) produced a dominant second quarter to inspire an 83-73 home win against the Reading Rockets (11-4). Dan Watts led the home side with 22 points on 5-11 3-point shooting while Chris Shalvoy had 10 points, 8 assists and 4 steals as the hosts capitalised on the Rockets’ 27 turnovers. Sergio Guardia Marti had 18 points. On Sunday, Reading bounced back to beat the leaders Kent 62-59 in a close contest.

Romonn Nelson fired Tees Valley Mohawks (5-8) to a 95-90 road win at Bradford Dragons (5-11) with a 37-point display at the weekend. Manchester Magic (8-7) also won away from home as they beat Leicester Warriors (7-9) with Ellis Cooper scoring a game-high 19 points to help the visitors come from behind to take the win in the fourth.

Team Northumbria (10-5) are just one win behind the top four after they also beat Leicester with 20 points each coming from Lewis Champion and Chris Hatch. Also, Hemel Storm (5-11) ran out convincing 101-69 winner against Westminster Warriors (3-11) as Bode Adeluola and Darren Best combined for 50 points.

Division Two

Lancashire Spinners (15-2) are still top of D2 after seeing off the challenge of Ipswich Basketball (11-5) with a 98-92 victory. Steven Gayle hit 11-14 free throws on his way to 27 points while Steven Vaughan added 21 points and 11 rebounds with the home side going 26-32 from the line as a team. Sam Newman hit six triples in a game-high 28 points for the visitors with Tom Sadler adding 22 with Ipswich shooting 50% from the field and downtown. London Lituanica (14-1) continue to stay with the Spinners as they recorded an 83-69 home win against Brixton Topcats (6-9).

Derbyshire Arrows (11-4) moved ahead of Ipswich following a 92-77 win on the road at Loughborough Student Riders (10-6). Will Maynard led the hosts with 21 points but took 29 shots with Loughborough struggling to find their range with 6-32 from beyond the arc. Chris Dixon had a game-high 25 for the visitors, while Cameron McCallum nearly produced a huge triple-double after posting 20 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists. Also, Birmingham Mets (4-11) defeated London Westside (2-12) 77-69 and London United (2-9) claimed an 80-77 victory over Eastside Eagles (4-11) away from home.

Division Three

In the North, Liverpool (16-1) still lead the way after 28 points from Chris Bigley helped them to a 96-64 win away at Leeds Allerton High Force (2-14). Nottingham Hoods (16-2) are level on points with the leaders after they inflicted a heavy 112-73 defeat on Hull Wasps (4-12). Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights (12-6) fell to a 73-70 home loss to Team Birmingham (10-8), while Tees Valley Mohawks II (3-15) upset Mansfield Giants (8-9) with a 97-87 home win of their own. Elsewhere, Sefton Stars (9-9) beat Sheffield Sabres (3-13) 82-68 and City of Sheffield Saints (10-8) claimed a 90-78 win against Derby Trailblazers (10-6).

Solent Kestrels (12-2) still hold a slender advantage at the top of the South after they beat Northants Thunder (6-8) 95-75 and Plymouth Raiders II (12-3) won 79-63 at Barking Abbey (4-11). Thames Valley Cavaliers (11-3) needed overtime to beat Oxford City Hoops (2-11) 110-106 with two players combining for 71 points. Also, Hackney White Heat (7-6) beat Team Solent (7-7) 73-71 in a close fought encounter.

Division Four

Brentwood Fire (9-2) defeated East Midlands leaders Barking & Dagenham Thunder (10-2) with a 71-63 home victory, while Northants Taurus (7-5) eased to a 99-69 win at Hertfordshire Warriors (2-10). There was just one game in the Midlands and Sporting Club Albion (7-6) triumphed 74-51 win over Nottingham Hoods II (4-10) on the road.

Team Newcastle University (15-0) are still unbeaten after they crushed Liverpool II (0-14) 98-49, a day after their opponents had handed Leeds Tigers (6-9) a 20-0 forfeited win. Myerscough College Giants (15-1) remain half a game behind following their 87-61 victory at Sunderland City Predators (4-10), while Gateshead Phoenix (9-7) also won on their travels; beating Kendal Warriors (2-14) 93-67.

In the South-East, BC Crawley United (14-3) were able to maintain their lead at the top after being handed a win against London Westside II (2-11). Brunel Ducks (13-2) still have the better win percentage after 27 points from Benji Lawmann guided them to a 93-87 home win against Brighton Cougars (9-7). Folkestone Saints (7-8) edged out Sussex Bears (11-5) 68-67 and there was a convincing home win for Greenwich Titans (11-4) as they emphatically beat Twickenham Tigers (6-10) 111-54.

Oxford Brookes University (14-0) made it fourteen straight wins in the South-West after they thrashed Southampton University Sharks (2-12) 131-64. Bristol Academy Flyers II (8-6) beat Bristol Storm (4-11) on the road, while Woking Blackhawk Flyers (9-5) saw off Oxford Sealers (6-8) 77-62 and Thames Valley Cavaliers II (8-5) were awarded victory against Cardiff City (6-7).

Get to any games? What are your thoughts on the weekend results? Let us know in the comments!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *