England U16s Suffer Second Defeat After Late Poland Charge

England under-16’s were on the wrong end of a 19-0 fourth quarter run as they let an 11-point lead slip to lose 78-72 to Poland in their second tournament game in Slovakia, on Saturday.

Jacob Round again top scored after shooting 50% from the field for his 13 points, with Manchester Magic’s Kaiyem Cleary the only other player in double figures as he added 12 points and 8 rebounds from the bench.

Box score.

Alan Keane’s side got off to a strong start with Round and Caleb Fuller netting from beyond the arc early on, before Clearly hit two triples in a 14-5 run to help establish a 26-20 advantage at the end of the first. England maintained their lead throughout the second and narrowly increased their advantage, heading into half-time, 44-37 ahead.

Their opponents closed to within a point with an 8-2 start to the second half, but England were able to regain control with eight unanswered points in response. The gap would be nine points heading into the final quarter at 59-50 despite briefly hitting double figures on a three from Sam Kato.

A basket from Round two minutes into the fourth made it an 11-point game. England would then endure a baron spell lasting over five minutes as Poland went on a pivotal 19-0 run to swing the game in their favour, and lead 71-63. Jacob Iwowo scored a 3-pointer in the final minute to cut the deficit to five, before Poland sealed the win from the free throw line.

England take on 2014 European Championship bronze medalists Spain in their final tournament game with an early tip on Sunday.

Image credit: @CoachKeane14

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