GB SUFFER DUTCH DIP
Great Britain will start their EuroBasket qualification campaign without a single win in the build-up after losing 79-68 to the Netherlands in Manchester.
Joe Prunty’s men led 30-18 in the second period at Belle Vue but saw the Dutch draw level in the third.
And then, they pulled away with a 10-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter before a late rally from the hosts fell short.
“Unfortunately, down the stretch, we didn’t execute offensively,” Prunty admitted.
Andrew Lawrence had a team-high 14 points, with Dan Clark adding nine points and 12 rebounds for GB who now visit Hungary in their opening qualifier in Kecskemet on Wednesday before Macedonia come to London’s Copper Box next Saturday.
Worthy de Jong led the Netherlands scoring with 18.
Friday flop for GB
Coach Joe Prunty shuffled his pack in a closed door clash with the Dutch on Friday that saw GB lose 83-71, their fourth defeat this summer so far.
The hosts were out-scored in the second quarter by 27-2 but won the third 23-7 before fading in the fourth – with Kyle Johnson and Gabe Olaseni hitting 13 points apiece.
The American cut forward Will Neighbour earlier this week as he moves towards his desired team.
“Will showed very good growth and improvement from the beginning of camp,†Prunty said. “His skills will present him great opportunities with both his club and British Basketball moving forward.”
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