Week 15 in D2M saw nine games take place over the weekend. With the top sides across both Conferences in action, there's plenty to look over in our weekly recap!
Southern Conference leaders Essex Rebels maintained their hold on top spot but were made to work hard as they claimed a narrow 71-65 road win against London Greenhouse Pioneers.
Despite trailing by as many as 19 points in the contest, Greenhouse fought back well to close the gap to just three late in the 4th quarter. Baskets from Tom Child (17 points) and Rory Winter (15 points) helped seal the win for the Rebels however, shutting the door on the host's plans for a comeback.
Francesco Rinaldi top scored for Greenhouse with a game high 20 points, backed up by former D2M Player of the Week Yonathan Napoleon with 17.
2nd place Ipswich were also made to work for a win this weekend, coming out 89-84 victors against 9th place Sussex Bears. The Suffolk side can thank captain Luke Mascall-Wright for a stunning performance, the talented scorer put up 44 points to go with 14 rebounds in the win.
Greenwich Titans have put their slow start to the season behind them, claiming a 5th win of the year as they split a double-header weekend. Saturday's 94-88 loss against Team Solent Kestrels II came largely at the hands of Solent's Ashley Williams, who scored 37 points for the hosts. Bouncing back on Sunday, the Titans secured a 90-73 W against local rivals London Westside, with Greenwich's captain Arturo Noha Pascual dropping 32 points.
Cardiff secured their 2nd win of the season as they stunned East London All-Stars 88-86 after a period of OT. In a back and forth affair, Cardiff led by as many as eight points in the 4th quarter before the visitors moved ahead by two with four ticks remaining. Jordan Seeley remained calm from the line though, knocking down both his free throws after a shooting foul to send the game to OT. Those free throws capped a 22 point performance for Seeley, a team high effort, as Cardiff went on to claim the W following the extra period.
In the Northern Conference, leaders Team Newcastle bounced back from last weekend's defeat against Manchester to beat Team Birmingham 84-56. Thomas Horvat continued his hot form on the year to finish with 31 points for the Knights, with youngster Wakeem Richardson top scoring for Birmingham with 16 points.
In battle of the two Derbyshire teams, it was the visiting Arrows who came out on top against the Spartans, sealing a narrow 82-77 win. Ashley Ugo's 27 points would be in vain for the hosts, who led 26-17 after the 1st quarter before being reeled in by the Arrows and 19 points from Joseph Baugh.
Bristol Hurricanes couldn't extend their modest two game win streak as they fell to University of Chester 76-68. Benas Andriekus had 28 points for the Hurricanes, but he was the only Bristol scorer to make it to double digits. By comparison, UoC pushed four players past the 10 point mark, led by Isaac Ray on on 17.
Finally, Bristol Flyers made sure their trip to Sheffield wasn't in vain as they handed Hallam University their 9th loss of the season. With a final score of 79-58 to the visitors, the Flyers now hold a share of 7th spot with a 5-7 record.
1:00pm – Team Solent Kestrels II 94-88 Greenwich Titans STATS
2:20pm – Sheffield Hallam University 58-79 Bristol Academy Flyers STATS
3:30pm – London Greenhouse Pioneers 65-71 Essex Rebels STATS
5:30pm – Bristol Hurricanes 68-76 University of Chester STATS
5:30pm – Ipswich Basketball 89-84 Sussex Bears STATS
7:00pm – Team Birmingham Elite 56-84 Team Newcastle University STATS
8:30pm – Derbyshire Spartans 77-82 Derbyshire Arrows STATS
1:45pm – Cardiff Met Archers 88-86 East London All Stars STATS
3:00pm – Greenwich Titans 90-73 London Westside STATS
Ten games are crammed into week 16, with all of them taking place on Saturday 18 January.
In the Northern Conference, leaders Team Newcastle entertain Charnwood College Riders, as 2nd place Myerscough College take a trip to Bristol to face the Hurricanes.
University of Chester will hope to extend bottom side Sheffield Hallam University's losing streak, Bristol Academy Flyers welcome Derbyshire Spartans and Team Birmingham Elite lock horns with Manchester Magic in the North West.
The five games in the Southern Conference are highlighted by leaders Essex Rebels taking on Greenwich Titans, as 2nd place Ipswich host East London All Stars.
London BC Medelynas play their first game of 2020 as Sussex Bears head to the Capital, London Westside battle Team Solent Kestrels II and Cardiff Met Archers meet London Greenhouse Pioneers.
Main image credit - Luke Simcock
