Recap
Elite edge Eagles
Team Birmingham Elite halted the young Eagles winning streak today in a tight affair which finished 82-93 in favour of the visitors. Both teams traded baskets throughout, with the score never increasing to double digits until the final moments of the game.
The game started with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm in the opening stages, due to some tough defensive play by both squads. On the offensive end of the floor one player did open the game in style as Ridley began his day with three baskets from behind the arc to open up with 11 points in the first frame. The Eagles ended the first up 13-11.
The second quarter saw Birmingham’s zone defence continue to stifle the Eagles offensive rhythm as the home team were forced to settle for mid-range jump shots. Birmingham starlets Powell and Abushego began to make a mark on the game as they led Birmingham to a ten point lead at the half with aggressive drives to the rim. The second quarter was marred by a hard fall for Evbuomwan and though the Eagles star played on he struggled to leave his usual mark on the game. The score going in to the break, 31-41 in favour of Team Elite.
The Eagles dragged their way back in to the contest in the third behind another barrage from Ridley as he again fired away with a trifecta of triples; combined with the excellent defensive work from Spoors, who effectively shut down Abushego, Linsley and Riley whose collective pressure caused multiple turnovers. The third saw Evbuomwan leave the game for good after suffering after another knock. The Eagles lead going in to the 4th by one point 63-62.
The 4th quarter saw the Eagles and Birmingham trading baskets for the first five minutes until Linsley was given a 5th foul reducing the Eagles to only 7 available players and taking away the team captain for crunch time. This proved to be a killer blow to Coach George’s young eagles as Linsley’s defensive prowess was sorely missed despite Spoors continuing his sterling defensive work against the highly touted Abushego. The game ending with the Eagles losing out 93-82 in the end.
Coach George said after the loss “It was a tough loss against a very talented side, I think we had a few chances in the game to turn it around but injuries and foul trouble hampered this attempt , the positive note this team has made huge changes since December as we look forward to our final game of the regular season ”. The Eagles complete their season this coming Saturday with the visit of table-toppers Myerscough College.
