Loughborough University Pull Off BUCS 4-Peat

Image Credit: Joe Pinchin

Loughborough University further cemented their status as a university basketball powerhouse with their fourth consecutive BUCS Championship, a 90-82 win over University of East London on Wednesday evening in Nottingham.

Lucien Christofis picked up MVP honours, finishing with 24 points and 15 rebounds – 10 offensive, as Loughborough fought back from a first half double digit deficit to take control in the third period.

A last gasp 12-0 run from UEL in the fourth saw them tie the game at 79 with 4 minutes remaining, but huge threes from Reis Pinnock and Josh Ward-Hibbert saw Loughborough hold on down the stretch.

“It’s great to have so much success with these guys,” Christofis said. “Day in and day out we practice for these big moments. This was my last game for loughborough university and we had to bring the 4-peat home! I’m just so blessed to have such specials teammates and amazing coaches and staff.”

Josh Ward-Hibbert had 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the scoring for the victors, Alex Roberts had 12 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds and 5 steals, whilst Kiefer Douse joined them in double figures with 10.

Loughborough Head Coach Mark Jarram was elated with the win.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to coach these guys! To achieve four in a row is really special and I hope the guys don’t take that for granted. It’s hard in these moments to put what it means into words. But so many contributing factors go into this. People who support us and allow us the opportunity to put a team out there. We just try to do the best we can with what we’ve got, always!”

Loughborough Captain Jonas Dieterich, who finished with 10 rebounds and 6 assists, added:

“It’s an amazing feeling. We all know what we’re capable of and work hard all year for moments like this. UEL made it very tough for us, they’re a very strong team but we were relentless and played to our strengths with everyone contributing.”

A game-high 27 points from Justin Black would not be enough for UEL, who are partnered with BBL side London Lions, receiving 22 points and 13 rebounds from Brandon Peel and 13 from Jonathan James.

Box score.

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