Following a lengthy break, BUCS action returned towards the end of January. The division winners have been confirmed with the first four teams into the Final 8’s revealed. Here’s a recap of the action in 2015 so far with just one full week remaining:
February
Northumbria moved closer to securing the North division with a 105-95 win at home to Sheffield Hallam. Durham recorded an 81-60 win on the road at Worcester with coach Ralph Bucci describing the win as a ‘great, balanced, team performance’ with Bryan Hockaday top scoring with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Loughborough eased past Leeds Beckettt Carnegie with a 98-68 victory as Conner Washington led the way with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals in an impressive all-round display.
“It was a tough first half for our guys, as we struggled to find rhythm,” said Loughborough Head Coach Mark Jarram. “In the second half, we were more relaxed and played our brand of basketball to come out with a nice win.”
Marc Steutel’s Northumbria side wrapped up the division a week later after opening up an unassailable lead at the top of the North with a 94-64 win at home to Worcester. Scott Martin top scored with a game-high 22 points, with Mick Di Stasio and Jack Thompson both adding 14 points apiece. The visitors were led by Robert Thurman’s 16 points with Disraeli Lufadeju the only other scorer in double figures.
“I’m really pleased,” said Steutel. “It’s the first time in the programme’s history that we’ve been able to do it and it has been an enjoyable regular season so far.
“The quality of the league is worth noting with all the BBL players available and the manner in which we have won is even more pleasing. The season isn’t finished, and there’s still a long way to go.”
Washington had another strong game for Loughborough as he poured in 26 points to lead his side to a 73-68 win on the road at Durham. Anthony Rowe added 14 points with the Leicester Riders duo both coming up big down the stretch. The hosts were led by Charles Rhodes’ 18 points and 9 rebounds, but were left under-manned when Hockaday left the game with a dislocated finger in the third. Durham had led 66-65 with a couple of minutes remaining, but the visitors were able to seal the win from the free throw line. Also, Sheffield Hallam came out on top in a clash of the bottom two sides as they defeated Leeds Beckett Carnegie 97-72 despite a 41-point haul from Darrell Bethune.
Results: 4th Feb- Northumbria 105-95 Sheffield Hallam; Worcester 60-81 Durham; Loughborough 98-68 Leeds Beckett Carnegie. 11th Feb- Northumbria 94-64 Worcester; Durham 68-73 Loughborough; Sheffield Hallam 97-72 Leeds Beckett Carnegie.
Fixtures: 18th Feb- Leeds Beckett Carnegie v Durham; Loughborough v Northumbria; Worcester v Sheffield Hallam.
Standings: Northumbria 8-1 (24pts); Loughborough 6-3 (18pts); Durham/Worcester 4-5 (12pts); Sheffield Hallam 3-6 (9pts); Leeds Beckett Carnegie 2-7 (6pts).
January
Action in the South resumed towards the end of January and UEL picked up where they left off as they extended their perfect start with an emphatic 100-48 victory away at Oxford. The clash of the two remaining unbeaten sides took place the following week and it was UEL who came out on top with a convincing 94-68 win on the road against Brunel to make it eight from eight.
February
Brunel bounced back from their first loss with a resounding 78-51 home win over Bath to secure a top-two finish in the South. London South Bank inflicted yet another defeat on UCL as they recorded a comfortable 67-42 success at home.
The following week saw all six teams in action as the University of East London sealed the division triumph after another big win over their closest rivals as they crushed Brunel 100-65 at the Sports Dock. UCL were not too far away from earning their first win , but they fell short at home to Oxford, who claimed a 59-51 win. The final game saw LSBU make it back-to-back home victories as they eased to a 77-41 win against Bath.
Results: 21st Jan- Oxford 48-100 UEL. 28th Jan- Brunel 68-94 UEL. 4th Feb- Brunel 78-51 Bath; LSBU 67-42 UCL. 11th Feb- UEL 100-65 Brunel; UCL 51-59 Oxford; LSBU 77-41 Bath.
Fixtures: 18th Feb- Bath v East London; Brunel v UCL; Oxford v London South Bank. 25th Feb- Bath v Oxford.
Standings: East London 9-0 (27pts); Brunel 7-2 (21pts); LSBU 5-4 (15pts); Bath 3-5 (9pts); Oxford 2-6 (6pts); UCL 0-9 (0pts).
The top two in each Division progress to the Final 8’s meaning that Northumbria, Lougborough, UEL and Brunel have all secured their spots in the next stage, to be held on the 14th/15th March at UEL’s Sports Dock.
The remaining four places will be decided via playoffs between the final four teams in each division going head-to-head in the Sweet 16. Last year, the Final 8’s were dominated by the North with a 6-2 split.
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