Around the NBL – Week 12

Check out our latest round-up of the action from the NBL this past weekend from Division 1 down to the NBDL as the final semi-finalist is confirmed in the National Cup.

Division 1

London Lituanica (6-0) produced a stunning 76-78 win away at Manchester Magic (7-1) to preserve their unbeaten league start and end their opponents’ run of 16 consecutive victories in all competitions. Ausridas Petraitis came up big with a mammoth double-double of 31 points and 15 rebounds, while Ellis Cooper had 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Magic as they finished 1-of-10 from beyond the arc and shot 50% from the line.

It was a second 30-point game in as many days for Petraitis having put up 30 to lead Lituanica to a 67-74 win away at Leicester Warriors the previous day, while Simon Anumba’s 22 points had given Manchester a seventh straight league win when they saw off Worthing Thunder (2-5) 77-53, after dominating the opening three quarters.

Derby Trailblazers (7-0) are the new leaders in D1 after taking their perfect league start to seven games with two more victories over the weekend. Matt Shaw’s side edge out Team Northumbria (6-2) 62-60 behind David Watts’ 16 points and 10 rebounds, and a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double from Dan Watts. Lewis Champion had 24 points for the visitors as the only player in double figures, before scoring 15 as his side bounced back with a 71-50 victory at home to Kent Crusaders (1-6) the next day.

The Watts brothers then combined for 55 points the following day in a 101-104 overtime victory away at Westminster Warriors (0-8) with Dan Watts going 9-of-12 from the field for 28 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists, while ‘TinTin’ had a 27-9-6 stat-line. Syndey Donaldson also had 20 points. The home side battled back from 12 points down ahead of the fourth to force the extra period as Yannick Bulumbwe top scored with 25 points, supported by 24 from Jon J Johnson.

Hemel Storm (6-2) enjoyed a double-winning weekend at home to climb to fourth in the table. On Saturday, Hemel ran out convincing 107-74 winners over Tees Valley Mohawks (0-7) despite 31 points from Romonn Nelson, before seeing off Lancashire Spinners (4-4) with a 90-76 victory as Walid Mumuni top scored with 18 points. Elsewhere, Essex Leopards (4-3) claimed a 78-74 overtime win at home to Leicester with Will Ashby leading the home side with 16 points, while Courtney Van Beest had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists having also beaten Kent 51-68 on Saturday behind another 16 points from Ashby.

Meanwhile, Bradford Dragons (2-6) finally got off the mark in the league and would go on to enjoy a double-winning weekend. Nick Moore was the Dragons hero after racking up an impressive 64 points over the two games. The Dragons defeated Westminster 97-91 behind a 35-point haul from Moore on Saturday, before beating the Mohawks 80-88 on the road to leave the two opponents winless.

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National Cup

Worthing Thunder became the final team to book their place in the National Cup semi-finals after beating Reading Rockets 91-80. Tom Ward top scored with 28 points, while James Cambronne collected 16 rebounds to go with 11 points as six players hit double figures. D’Montre Edwards had 23 points for the Rockets with Antonio Robinson adding 14 points, 11 rebounds and six steals in the loss as Worthing set up a last four clash with Loughborough Student Riders.

SF Draw: Derby Trailblazers v Manchester Magic (December 5); Loughborough Student Riders v Worthing Thunder (December 13).

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Division 2

Ipswich (5-2) moved into second in D2 on Saturday after recording a 73-69 home win against East London All Stars (4-3). Sam Newman (pictured) led the way with 17 points and five steals, while Taner Adu and Leigh Greenan weighed in with 11 points each as the hosts survived a late 8-0 run to triumph. However, they were replaced by London Greenhouse Pioneers (5-1) after they recorded a 78-67 home win over Liverpool (1-4), while Worcester Wolves II (2-5) claimed their second win after beating Brixton Topcats (2-5) 69-62.

Derbyshire Arrows (4-1) overturned a 17-point half-time deficit to defeat Liverpool 86-87 in overtime on the road as Joseph Baugh top scored with 33 points. Chris Bigley had 21 for the home side. Elsewhere, Solent Kestrels (3-2) used a strong third quarter to see off Eastside Eagles (0-6) 63-75 away from home with Louie Kirkman finishing with 18 points in the win.

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Division 3

Team Newcastle University (8-0) came out on top in the clash of the unbeaten sides in D3 North as they inflicted a first loss on Doncaster Danum Eagles (7-1) with a convincing 100-58 victory. The home Knights trailed 18-26 at the end of the first, but recovered well to record a 42-point win as they outscored their opponents 56-19 in the second half. Robbie Lemons top scored with a game-high 28 points.

Sefton Stars (6-4) enjoyed back-to-back wins at home this weekend to move into third as Scott Summersgill scored 51 points in the two games to lead his side with 22 in a 70-69 win over Team Birmingham (1-5), before dropping 29 in an 89-67 victory against City of Sheffield Saints (3-6). Meanwhile, Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights (4-4) were guided to a 64-80 away at the Saints by a 29-point haul from Kieran Jones.

Also, on Sunday, Myerscough College (5-3) edged out Birmingham Mets (5-4) 80-78 as Ayo Nuwe and Zion Tordoff contributed 18 and 17 points respectively, while Leeds Force Academy (1-6) earned their first win by beating Derby Trailblazers II (2-5) 71-78 on the road behind 20 points from Loick Pouale.

Thames Valley Cavaliers (7-0) continued their unbeaten start in D3 South as they saw off the challenge of Brunel Ducks (5-4) with a 105-95 win on Sunday. The Cavaliers were led by Martelle McLemore’s 22 points, while the Ducks had 26 points from Sam Dunscombe and a further 22 from Joel Henry in a losing effort.

Abdoulaye Sylla scored 34 points to lead Oxford Brookes University (6-3) to an impressive 83-93 road win at second-placed Team Solent (6-2), who bounced back with a 63-77 success at Barking Abbey Crusaders (1-6). The Crusaders had gone into the game on the back of an 81-78 win at home to Plymouth Raiders II (3-3) behind 21 points from Tom Child.

Meanwhile, Middlesex LTBC (5-2) look poised to make their move after winning 78-91 at Loughborough Student Riders II (3-3) as Modestas Krasauskas scored 28 points for the visitors, and there was an 82-78 overtime victory for Brentwood Fire (3-4) over bottom-placed side Northants Thunder (1-8).

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NBDL

Gateshead Phoenix (6-0) are the runaway leaders in the North-East after beating Kingston Panthers (1-4) 100-55 with Matt Yates top scoring with 22 points. Sheffield Hallam Sharks (3-1) claimed back-to-back wins to move second after beating Nottingham Hoods II (3-2) 52-69 on the road, before easing past Derby Trailblazers II (1-5) 88-51.

In the North-West, University of Chester (5-0) are still unbeaten after Phil Brandreth dropped 30 points in a dominant 101-48 victory at home to Liverpool II (1-7). Elsewhere, Blackburn College Spinners (5-2) recorded their second 50+ win in as many weeks as they dismantled Kendal Warriors (1-6) 119-51 with Jermaine Chambers scoring 27 points, while Stephen Graham had 20. Also, Tameside (5-1) closed on the top after edging out Calderdale Explorers (3-3) 81-77.

Thames Valley Cavaliers II (5-0) were another team to maintain their perfect record in the South after they defeated Kent Crusaders II (3-3) 85-78, while Woking Blackhawk Flyers (2-4) posted an 81-95 success away at Reading Rockets II (0-5), despite a 32-point haul from Tyler Foard.

In the South-East, Greenwich Titans (7-1) moved clear at the top with Southwark Pride (6-1) not in action as they beat West Herts Warriors (4-4) 96-62, while Kings Lynn Fury (4-1) won 67-78 away at Anglia Ruskin University (0-7) as Mindaugas Spukas scored 24 points, and there was also a victory for London Thunder-Lewisham (3-4) as they edged out Northants Taurus (1-7) 84-83 as they held off a late fightback.

Cardiff Met Archers (6-2) are the new leaders in the South-West after they defeated Oxford City (3-5) 54-62 on the road, and Bristol Academy Flyers (6-4) were beaten 48-63 at home to Swindon Shock (5-4) for their third straight defeat. Cardiff City (5-3) recorded a 68-59 win against City of Birmingham (3-5), while Oxford Stealers (3-4) defeated Birmingham Mets II (0-8) 94-57, and Sporting Club Albion (5-3) enjoyed a 93-66 triumph over TCAT Shropshire Warriors (4-4) as Mason netted 30 points.