Around the NBL – Week 11

Check out our latest round-up of the action from the NBL this past weekend from Division 1 down to the NBDL as three teams remain unbeaten in the top-flight.

Division 1

Team Northumbria (5-1) enjoyed a double-winning weekend as they defended home court twice to move into joint third in D1. On Saturday, Marc Steutel’s side overturned a 10-point deficit heading into the final quarter to defeat Bradford Dragons (0-6) 86-83. The following day, Northumbria ended the unbeaten start of Reading Rockets (5-1) with a 76-73 victory having trailed by 13 points at half-time. Neil Randolph netted 20 points in the win including 6-of-12 from 3-point range, while Danny Carter had 30 points for the Rockets.

Reading had made it five straight league wins on Saturday when they defeated Tees Valley Mohawks (0-5) 73-83 on the road with D’Montre Edwards leading the visitors with 22 points. The home side remain winless despite being led by Rob Donaldson and Romonn Nelson, who had 19 and 17 points respectively. Another team still awaiting their first league win are Westminster Warriors (0-6) after they suffered a 71-80 loss at home to Hemel Storm (4-2) as Walid Mummuni and Nik Rhodes scored 15 points apiece in the win, which was aided by a strong third period.

Derby Trailblazers (5-0) improved to five wins from five league games as they saw off the challenge of defending champions Essex Leopards (2-3) with a 75-71 success on Saturday. Sydney Donaldson led the way with 17 points, while David Watts chipped in with an additional 15. The leaders remain Manchester Magic (6-0), though, as Paul Middleton’s side continued their impressive run in all competitions with a 74-91 win away at Lancashire Spinners (4-3) to end their four-game win streak. Franc Garcia Garrido had 26 points for the visiting victors.

On Sunday, London Lituanica also maintained their perfect record as they claimed an 83-78 win at home to Worthing Thunder after 20 points from Ausridas Petraitis. The visitors were level inside the final minute, but were unable to snatch victory despite a 30-point haul from Tom Ward as well as 20 points from James Cambronne as he continues to make a positive impact since his arrival.

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Division 2

Nottingham Hoods (6-0) remain the runaway leaders in D2 after beating Brixton Topcats (2-4) 44-69 on the road. The visitors were held to just six points in the opening period, but put up 35 in the third to power to victory. Lucasz Siczek led the way with 25 points in a sixth straight league win for his side.

East London All Stars (4-2) started the weekend in second and defeated Worcester Wolves II (1-5) 119-71 behind a double-doubles of 27 points and 10 rebounds from Arif Sempala and a 25-point haul from Aaron Smith that included five triples, while Jakstys had 27 for the visitors. However, on Sunday, they dropped to fifth as they were beaten 109-77 away at Loughborough Student Riders (4-1) despite another 25 points from Smith.

The Riders were joined in second place by London Greenhouse Pioneers (4-1) as they recorded an 84-72 home win against Solent Kestrels (2-2). Dean Prosenica top scored for the home side with 21 points along with nine rebounds with M Reynolds adding 17 points, eight boards and five assists.

Elsewhere, Ipswich (4-2) claimed a 50-75 win on the road at London Westside (0-5) as Sam Newman top scored with 25 points, while Taner Adu and Leigh Greenan added 14 points apiece to leave the home side still in search of a first win. Also, Eastside Eagles (0-5) were beaten 71-74 at home to Derbyshire Arrows (3-1) despite 28 points from Andre Lavinier. For the visitors, JosephBaugh dropped 31 as they claimed the final quarter 12-22 to take the win.

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Division 3

Doncaster Danum Eagles (7-0) crushed Derby Trailblazers II (2-4) 138-70 to extend their unbeaten start in D3 North as Matthew Martin netted 33 points in the win, while Paul Walsh and Josh Metcalf added 23 and 22 points respectively. Team Newcastle University (7-0) also maintained their perfect record as Matthew Brown’s 17 points led them to a 66-83 win away at Birmingham Mets (5-3).

Josh Metcalf (@JayDotMet) goes off for 17 points in 6 minutes as @DanumEagles score 50 in first quarter. https://t.co/R0mRDlViNL @Hoopsfix

— Mr Brough (@jbrough13) November 23, 2015

Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights (3-4) were also victorious on their travels, beating Mansfield Giants (3-4) 84-89, while Leeds Force Academy (0-6) were beaten 63-74 at home to Tees Valley Mohawks II (2-5). Sefton Stars (4-4) continued the trend of away wins with a 61-82 success over City of Sheffield Saints (3-4), while on Sunday, Myerscough College (4-3) edged out Team Birmingham (1-4) 79-82 on the road.

In D3 South, Thames Valley Cavaliers (6-0) are also still unbeaten as they claimed a 71-96 win away at Barking & Dagenham Thunder (1-6) as Martelle McLemore scored 21 points. Team Solent (5-1) are keeping up the pressure in second as they defeated Northants Thunder (1-7) 84-69 behind 28 points from Phillip Tripodakis.

Also, Abdoulaye Sylla scored 26 points to lead Oxford Brookes University (5-3) to an 82-74 victory at home to Plymouth Raiders II (3-2), while Brunel Ducks (5-3) edged out Brentwood Fire (2-4) 69-67 after producing a 21-12 final quarter. On Sunday, Middlesex LTBC (4-2) defeated London United (2-2) 96-88 with Tadas Bagdonas top-scoring with 22 points and a further 21 coming from Marius Ceponis.

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NBDL

Kingston Panthers (1-3) claimed their first win of the league season with a 77-68 victory at home to Derby Trailblazers III (1-4) in the only game in the North East this past weekend.

In the North West, University of Chester (4-0) maintained their unbeaten record with a 52-98 win at Kendal Warriors (1-5) with Phil Brandreth leading the way with 28 points, while James Strong and Niel Gillard both added 20 points apiece. Moses Byekwaso led Prestons College Titans (5-1) to a comfortable 59-88 win away at Calderdale Explorers (3-2) with 23 points Also, Manchester Magic II (4-4) improved to .500 with a 71-79 win on the road at Liverpool II (1-6) as they overturned a half-time deficit, while on Sunday, Blackburn College Spinners (4-2) eased past Carlisle Panthers (1-6) 51-110 on the road.

Kent Crusaders II (3-2) claimed their third league win in the South as they saw off Folkestone Saints 71-56, while Thames Valley Cavaliers II (4-0) joined Sussex Bears (4-0) at the top with a 65-77 victory away at Southampton University (2-3).

In the South-East, Greenwich Titans (6-1) kept up the pace at the top as they defeated Dagenham Dragons (3-2) 83-114 on the road as Yassin Bouraidah dropped 47 points in the win, before Southwark Pride (6-1) matched them with a 72-90 win away at Northants Taurus (1-6) on Sunday. West Herts Warriors (4-3) eased their way to a 95-65 win at home to Anglia Ruskin University (0-6) despite 29 points from Roshan Gurung for the visitors.

Cardiff Met Archers (5-2) closed on top spot in the South-West as they defeated Cardiff City (4-3), while Coventry Tornadoes (5-3) claimed a 64-58 win at home to Swindon Shock (4-4). Oxford Stealers (2-4) earned their second league win by edging out TCAT Shropshire Warriors (4-3) 58-60 on the road, while on Sunday, league leaders Bristol Academy Flyers (6-3) suffered a 65-62 defeat away at Sporting Club Albion (4-3). Finally, Oxford City (3-4) were led to a 51-70 victory at Birmingham Mets II (0-7) by a 27-point haul from Desta Rudder-Smith.