Unbeaten GB men into quarter final at World Championships
In a top of the table clash between two basketball heavyweights, Great Britain and USA, the lead changed hands 24 times ensuring a tense final pool A stage game.
The game got off to a ferocious start with a 3 pointer for USA’s Jason Nelms opening the scoring. Ian Sagar continued his fine form from the rest of the tournament adding 4 points. It was a close first quarter with three pointers coming from USA’s Matt Scott and Great Britain’s Jon Pollock. USA then got into foul trouble with 5 team fouls and Terry Bywater converted from the free throw line but USA still finished the quarter with a 2 point lead.
The match was fairly even in the second quarter as the teams exchanged baskets to tie the game at 28 all. It was Gaz Choudhry’s two free throws that put GB ahead for the first time in the match. GB outscored USA 19 -15 in this quarter turning the tables to give them the two point advantage.
The third quarter went in much the same fashion with USA and GB both cancelling each other out. Gaz Choudhry took his tally to double figures to tie the game and the two sides went into the final quarter level on 51 points each.
At the start of the final quarter, Simon Munn shot four points to edge GB ahead. Although it was not a dirty game, several players found themselves in foul trouble including Jon Pollock, Simon Munn and Simon Brown for GB and Matthew Scott for USA. GB were boosted by a three point play from Ian Sagar and USA started to lose their grip on the game and their discipline with the coach receiving a technical foul. GB scored one of their free throws and the rebound to stretch their lead and ensured that they got the win needed to set up a favourable quarter final draw.
Great Britain’s Head Coach, Murray Treseder said after the match “I’m happy with the way we played, it’s the best we have played so far this tournament and hopefully we can take this performance and build on it going into the quarter finals.”
Earlier in the day the GB women beat Mexico to go through to Quarter Finals in a must win game.
GB came out with all guns blazing taking an early 8 – 0 lead, Mexico weren’t going to let GB have it all their own way though and came back at the home side, G B failed to capitalise on their dominance. However 8 points in the first quarter from Helen Freeman made sure GB went into the break with a four point lead.
Garry Peel used his bench at the beginning of the second quarter, and on her first appearance in the game Caroline Maclean made her fist appearance and with it her first points of the day with an outside shot for 2 points taking GB’s score up to 16 points.
Great Britain then let Mexico back into the game and a foul from Louise Sugden gave Claudia Miranda, two free throws to tie the score, but with only one converted it took the Mexican side within one point at half time 26 – 25.
At the start of the third quarter Mexico took the lead for first time in the game as Floralia Estrada took her points tally up to 8 points. Going behind gave GB a kick start as they improved their defensive play forcing Mexico into a 24 second violation while Amy Conroy contributed some vital points in open play and from the line to put her team back in the lead. Louise Sugden and Helen Turner also took their chances giving GB a lead of 41 – 37 going into the final quarter.
The final quarter saw GB extend their lead to seven points but Mexico were still not giving up and a huge three pointer saw them bring the deficit back to four points. Each time GB seemed to pull away, Mexico rallied. Another three pointer followed but points by Helen Turner left Mexico needing five points. As Mexico pushed to claw back the gap, the clock continued to run down. GB managed to maintain a strong defensive game and hold on to win their first win of the Championships and progress through to the knockout stages.