With Manchester keeping themselves busy in the North with a double header weekend, there were nine D2M games in week 10. While it was business as usual at the top of the Northern Conference, there's now a three way tie at the top of the Southern standings so let's take a look at how the weekend played out.
Ipswich secured their third win in the last four games as they beat Southern Conference pace setters Essex Rebels 73-66.
Starting the season 5-0, Essex have now dropped back to back games to slip into a share of top spot. Adding one of the UK's most talented young forwards in Ethan Price to an already solid Ipswich line up will make them a match for anyone in D2M, and that proved to be the case on Saturday.
Price finished with a game high 23 points to go with eight rebounds, as captain Luke Mascall-Wright notched a 20 point, 14 rebound double-double. Essex's cause wasn't helped by going 5/29 from range as Tom Child eventually top scored with 12.
The Essex result opened the door for BC Medelynas to move to the top of the Southern standings, but they lost 66-69 on the buzzer at home to London Westside. Trailing 51-48 going into the last, Westside fashioned a comeback in the final quarter thanks to Santiago Manuel Garcia Leon, who led all scorers with 17 points. You can check out Donald Morris' final shot in the tweet below:
The game winning play in yesterday's road win over @medelynas in @NBLengland Division 2 #WeAreWestside #NBL1920 #TeamBall pic.twitter.com/Ho92ANsY5p
— Westside Basketball (@londonwestside) December 1, 2019
After starting the season 0-4, Greenwich Titans have now won three on the bounce, including an 85-76 road win against Sussex Bears this weekend. Holding the Bears to 31 1st half points, the margin of victory could have been greater had the Titans not eased off in the final quarter. Spyridon Kapsalos starred for the visitors, he finished with 23 points and seven boards.
The only other game in the South was on Sunday as Team Solent Kestrels II went to Cardiff and came away with a 106-71 victory. The visitors opened the game with a 32-18 quarter that set the tone as Solent's Ashley Williams stole the show. He finished with an incredible 51 points and 10 rebounds.
Northern leaders Team Newcastle recorded their eighth straight win as they beat Derbyshire Arrows 79-71. Thomas Horvat averages over 27ppg on the season and he was at his best once again here, scoring a team high 25 to go with six rebounds and four assists.
Manchester split back to back home games, losing 65-63 to University of Chester on Saturday before beating Bristol Hurricanes 76-62 on Sunday. Saturday's loss saw the Magic trying to dig themselves out of a 50-43 hole going into the final quarter, coming within a basket of pulling it off. Sunday's win involved Andre Gayle dropping 23 points and Dan Pilkington adding 22 more as Manchester moved to 6-3 and Bristol stayed winless at 0-7.
Myerscough remained hot on the heels of leaders Newcastle thanks to a 71-55 road win against Team Birmingham Elite. With both teams sporting a strong contingent of EABL talent, it was the North West side who would grab the W thanks to 15 points from Lewis McGlasson.
Finally, there was an entertaining contest in the Midlands on Sunday as Charnwood beat Derbyshire Spartans 121-97. The Riders topped the 30 point mark in all but the 3rd quarter as Greg Durrand scored 29 for the hosts and Ashley Ugo finished with 33 points for the Spartans.
5:00pm - Sussex Bears 76 - 85 Greenwich Titans - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Ipswich 73 - 66 Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS
6:00pm - BC Medelynas London 66 - 69 London Westside - LIVE STATS
6:30pm - Manchester Magic 63 - 65 University of Chester - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Team Birmingham Elite 55 - 71 Myerscough College - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Team Newcastle University 79 - 71 Derbyshire Arrows - LIVE STATS
3:30pm - Charnwood College 121 - 97 Derbyshire Spartans - LIVE STATS
4:00pm - Cardiff Met Archers 71 - 106 Team Solent Kestrels II - LIVE STATS
6:15pm - Manchester Magic 76 - 62 Bristol Hurricanes - LIVE STATS
Another nine games fill the week 11 schedule, highlighted by a top of the Southern table clash between Essex Rebels and BC Medelynas. Ipswich will be looking to take advantage of whoever loses that one as they head to London to face the Pioneers.
London Westside host Cardiff Met Archers, Greenwich Titans look to keep their winning streak going as they entertain East London All Stars and Team Solent Kestrels II and Sussex Bears clash in Southampton.
Looking North, leaders Team Newcastle welcome Bristol Flyers, Bristol Hurricanes look for their first win of the season on the road against the Spartans in Derbyshire, and the Arrows are at home to Team Birmingham Elite.
Sunday also see's two EABL programmes battle it out as Charnwood Riders go to Myerscough College with both teams currently sat at 6-2.
Main image credit - Joe Pinchin/Leicester Riders
.
.
.
