UCLan Mens Basketball 1sts 81-67 Teesside 1sts

Teesside, who had arrived late for the kick-off, were equally slow starters and UCLan scored 17 unanswered points in the first five minutes as they dominated the first three quarters, Chris Smith starting with an 18 point haul.

Despite trailing 74-37 going into the final period the visitors rallied and racking up 30 points to UCLan’s  seven, but it was too late to prevent the hosts notching up a victory which keeps them joint top of the table with a 100% record.

Coach Craig Wright was delighted with the win, but was disappointed with the final margin of victory:

“We were really good up until that last quarter. We started strong, the guys were attacking the basket well.

“We knew they were one of the better teams so the spread was really important, but in that fourth quarter we took our foot of the gas.”

The victory owed much to their flying start. So much so that, when Teesside finally got off the mark in the fifth minute, they already found themselves 17 points adrift, the quarter ending 30-12.

The second quarter was a much tighter affair as the visitors finally got into their stride. Smith hit two three pointers in quick succession but couldn’t prevent his sides’ lead being cut to 16 at half time.

UCLan found their range again in the third quarter, dominating the period scoring 29 points in the process.

They showed the strength in depth of the whole squad as the replacements off the bench carried on the form from the first quarter to more than double the lead, with 10 of the 12 players finding the basket during the match.

With a 37 point lead heading into the final ten minute period, UCLan would have thought that the victory was inevitable. However, the game was suddenly turned on its head as Teesside finally showed the form which had seen them win both their opening two fixtures.

Having managed just 37 points in the first three quarters, they got 30 in the fourth quarter.

But UCLan had pulled out enough of a lead in the opening three quarters to ensure the visitors never seriously threatened to complete the comeback.

They will now take their perfect record into cup action next week against also unbeaten Sheffield Hallam 1sts before facing the same side in the league the following week.

By Ciaran Thomas

UCLan’s Basketball teams return to action in a few weeks time, with both the Men’s 1sts and Women’s 1sts hoping that a successful 2011-2012 season is just around the corner.

For the Men’s 1sts, building on a solid season in last year’s top tier is the aim of the game, whilst the Women’s 1sts ponder ambitions of a possible promotion to the top tier in the women’s basketball league system.

With the summer break now over, it is time for the kings and queens of the court to get back into the swing of things if they are to make immediate impacts in their opening games of the season.

Once again competing in the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Basketball Northern 1A division, the Men’s 1sts start their season with an away game against the University of Manchester 1sts on Wednesday October 19.

The University of Manchester 1sts are one of five opponents that UCLan Men’s 1sts will face in the 2011-2012 season. Newcastle 1sts, Sheffield Hallam 1sts and Teeside 1sts form the North East contingent in the league, whilst a second side from Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan 1sts, complete the six-strong Northern 1A division.

Over the course of the season, UCLan Men’s 1sts will play five home and five away matches, to culminate in a ten game season running from October to February.

Meanwhile, UCLan Women’s 1sts will play in the BUCS Basketball Northern 2A division during the 2011-2012 campaign, no doubt with one eye on promotion to the Northern 1A division for the 2012-2013 season.

Their potential promotion push begins a day earlier than the Men’s campaign on Tuesday October 18 with a trip to the sole non-English squad in the league, Welsh side Bangor 1sts.

Bangor 1sts are one of five sides that UCLan Women’s 1sts must play in the forthcoming campaign. The remaining two-thirds of their league consists of Staffordshire side Keele 1sts, the ladies of Lancaster 1sts and a duo of teams from Liverpool; Liverpool John Moores 1sts and Liverpool Hope 1sts.

A ten game season lies in wait for the Women’s 1sts, beginning in October and concluding in February, with half the games played at home, and half requiring an away journey.

By Callum Gormally

A strong team performance gave UCLan a narrow 72-61 victory over Sheffield Hallam.

Looking fresh from the outset, UCLan were ready to defend their home territory. Both teams began weighing each other up with short passes trying to get the mental edge over their opposite numbers. Five minutes into the first quarter, both teams were on the board with four points. Neither side yet commanding the game, but both hoped to grasp the upper hand.

UCLan gradually gaining momentum, Harry Beenham finding his range with two back-to- back three pointers from range.  As the first quarter drew to a close, both sides traded the blows as the lead continued to change hands.  UCLan were scraping it 12-11, with everything still to play for and both teams seemingly equally-matched.

The game was at a stailmate20-20 until captain Chris Smith surged forward and crashed in a lay-up shot, leaving the opposition startled from where his devastating acceleration. Smith began to command his team mates and take control of the game. His leadership became the pivotal turning point in the game, squeezing every ounce of hope out of the visitors.

The second quarter was UCLan’s for the taking, with league leaders Sheffield Hallam showing signs of fatigue. Coach Craig Wright called for a time-out to take full advantage on Sheffield’s weakness. Half- time arrived with the score at 27-22 in UCLan’s favour.The third quarter saw Beenham and Smith strike an array of three pointers and lay-ups to put the game beyond Hallam’s reach. The gap was widened further and further from the travelling contingent as UCLan stretched out an 11 point advantage.  The undoubted standout score was triggered by Tom Hannah’s interception and the same man finished the move with stylish aplomb.

The UCLan defence proved too strong and stood resolute even under examination from the Sheffield Hallam attack. The home side’s lead reached eighteen points as victory seemed to be assured. Coach Wright introduced fresh legs in the last quarter to quell any lingering resistance from the visitors. As the final whistle was blown, the win was sealed with a final score of 72-61.

Coach Craig Wright said:

“It was great to see the team perform so well, and puts us in great stead for Friday’s fixture against Bradford. We are still waiting on some results but if they go are way, we should stay up as we are a newly-promoted team”.

After the match captain Chris Smith announced:

“It was a tough match, with Hallam being renowned tough competitors. We worked well as a unit and controlled the game. Sticking together as a group and our defenders created a lot of steals. We are now ready for our next match.”

By Will Vickers

Women’s 1sts suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Liverpool University in their first home fixture of the season.

The home side failed to cope with the strong counter attacking and precise finishing shown by the opposition.

Liverpool forced UCLan onto the back foot moments into the first quarter, when a personal foul gifted a penalty throw to the visitors who didn’t hesitate to open the scoring.

UCLan were quick to respond though when centre Emma Humfrey put the home side on the score sheet with a mid range effort.

Craig Wright’s team soon slipped behind again but were rewarded with a penalty throw of their own, which although missed, was followed up on the rebound by the UCLan centre and left the home side sitting a point behind at 5-6.

Liverpool were quick to dominate possession though and proved to be threatening on the counter attack, although Humfrey looked to keep UCLan in the game.

The first quarter favoured the visitors with a 7-12 lead.

A quick succession of penalty shots stretched Liverpool’s lead as they began to find their momentum before the game was stopped momentarily, after a leak from the roof raised concerns.

The disruption did not faze the team who continued with their momentum, scoring a succession of points going into the halfway stage with a staggering 9-25 lead.

Despite the heavy margin UCLan looked to narrow the gap when Nina Efraimidoy drew back points.

UCLan squandered a series of opportunities which proved costly as Liverpool continued to net a flurry of chances to further increase their lead.

Jess Deane looked to reduce UCLan’s deficit scoring four points before the referee sounded the whistle to signal the end of the third quarter.

The crowd’s efforts to lift the team were quickly drowned out as the visitors continued their consistency in finding the basket.

A late consolation goal from UCLan was not enough to prevent a heavy defeat.

By Abby East

It was last second heartbreak for UCLan’s Mens Basketball 1sts as they lost out 72-70 in a tight encounter with Manchester 1sts.

However, it could have been so different as, with the last shot of the match, Chris Smith missed a three pointer that would have given UCLan the win in their first game in Divison 1A, after last season’s title win.

“We did a decent job, but are just a little bit disappointed to lose at the end,” Coach Craig Wright said afterwards.

“Offensively we weren’t quite in sync, there were a couple of times we got good looks, which is what we want.

“But other times it sort of went away from that.”

UCLan were the brighter team from the start, three early turnovers gifting Smith and Matthew Brown easy points as the hosts raced into a 18-5 lead in the first quarter.

They could not build on the good start as 10 unanswered points from Manchester saw them close the gap, and the visitors took a 22-20 lead with the final points of the first quarter.

There was controversy four minutes into the second quarter, as Manchester had not recorded one of their players on the official team sheet handed in before the game.

After a lengthy delay in proceeding and discussions between both benches, officials and scorers it was ruled the visiting player would not be able to take part.

UCLan were awarded four penalty shots, but with concentration broken only scored one.

Despite being a player down from their squad, both teams traded points throughout the quarter, with the same two point margin separating the teams at the break, the score at 43-41 to Manchester.

After the half time break, chants of ‘defence’ were coming from both benches as both teams struggled to add to their points total, the score locked on 49-43 to the visitors for around five minutes.

A flurry of points towards the end of the third period saw Harry Beenham hit a three pointer seconds after Manchester had recorded one of their own, but it couldn’t prevent the visitors stretching their lead to 56-52.

A good start to the final quarter was required and UCLan got just that, pulling the scores back to 58-58 in the opening exchanges.

With the pressure building, frequent time-outs broke up the rhythm of the match, allowing Manchester to pull out a five point lead, as UCLan missed a couple of costly penalty chances.

The home side wouldn’t give up however and kept narrowing the deficit all the way until the end, where with two points separating the team Smith had a shot from wide for three points. But it hit the rim and bounced agonisingly away with just seconds remaining on the clock.

It proved to be the last chance as the visitors held on to an important victory.

By Ciaran Thomas

With the men and women’s teams finishing first and second in their respective leagues, UCLan Basketball has hailed the 2009/10 season as a resounding success.

The men’s team had won all but one game in the league all season and duly clinched the title to promote themselves to the top tier of University Basketball next season.

UCLan Basketball’s chairman, Sean Mahoney, hailed the team’s fantastic season and also praised the performances of certain players.

“David Collister was instrumental all season top scoring with a 19.3 points per game average and Matt Brown was voted player of the season by his team mates.

“With a huge step up in standard expected next season goals are very hard to set at this point, however plans for an extra long pre season training schedule are being put into place.”

The season was not without its drama however as only a dramatic buzzer beater shot by Mahoney brought UCLan’s title aspirations into their own hands after an epic encounter away to title rivals Chester.

A defeat by less than 15 points would ensure UCLan only needed to win their remaining games to seal the title and in true grit and determination UCLan came out on top.

With their final game then called off against MMU Cheshire, UCLan could celebrate as the league and promotion was the reward after a long season.

The women’s team also had a successful year, clinching second place for the fourth year in a row despite a lack in players.

Even with the low numbers, the team only lost four games all year and even managed to reach the quarter finals of the BUCS Cup.

Mahoney praised the team’s performance throughout the year and suggested that next year could be the year.

“The team should be very proud of their efforts. 

“After four seasons in a row of taking the silver medal, gold is very reachable and definitely in sight for next season”.

With next year likely to be even harder than this year, UCLan will do well to repeat the form and results of this year.

By Stefan Mackley

One win now stands in the way of a league title for UCLan Men’s Basketball team after a terrific 87-60 win over Lancaster University 1sts.

Coming off the back of a defeat to league leaders Chester, UCLan started out in a professional manner in the must win game.

They were immediately on the attack with Chris Smith proving clinical in front of the hoop.

Despite this the first period ended 18-13 in UCLan’s favour after a tense opening to the game and stern opposition from a Lancaster side who lie third in the league.

Going into the second period UCLan stepped the pace up and raced ahead thanks to more points from Smith and Chris Pangan.

The pair of them proved too much for a withering Lancaster side, ensuring a 47-16 score line at half time and command of the game.

Going into the second half and third period Lancaster began to rally together as UCLan looked to sustain their lead.

Captain David Collister proved a rock at the back for UCLan as well as adding himself to the score sheet, amassing a total of 21 points for the game.

The score was now 67-42 at the end of the third period with Smith now on the bench after amassing a total of 26 points for the game.

UCLan saw the final period out in comfortable fashion and finished the game off easy winners.

Coach Craig White said afterwards: “It was a great team performance and everyone contributed to the result. We could have won it by 40 points in the end.

“We’re very confident about winning the league. It will be tough but we’re playing well”.

UCLan now face MMU Cheshire on the 17^th March to decide the league title.

By Stefan Mackley

UCLan 71-51 MMU Cheshire

Coach Craig Wright praised a good team performance as UCLan Women’s Basketball team eased to a 71-51 win over MMU Cheshire on Wednesday night.

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UCLAN 91-66 Liverpool Hope

UCLan Men’s basketball began the 2010 half of the season where they left off in 2009 with their eighth win in a row; 91-66 over Liverpool Hope.

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UCLan 81 MMU Cheshire 67.

UCLan Men’s Basketball came away from there long and late night trip to MMU Cheshire with the points on Wednesday, winning 81-67

Seeing that their opponents were only suiting up seven players UCLan hoped to start the game at a high tempo, and pressurise the home side into easy steals, but with the referees calling fouls on every physical contact they could find they had to rethink their strategy.

Ben Eisenhandler stepped up to the starting 5 slot perfectly replacing the missing Harry Beenham who had other commitments. Eisenhandler connected on all 3 of his three-point shot attempts in the first half, sparking a comfortable 45-28 lead at the break.

The third quarter saw the home side finally forming some rhythm and with some poor rebounding and help defence by UCLAN, MMU Cheshire were back within 9 points.

However Chris Smith halted any kind of a comeback in the 4^th quarter, connecting on two straight 3-pointers and a total of four throughout the game, confirming the teams 6^th straight win.

Chris Smith top scored with 17 points, while Ben Eisenhandler was not too far behind with 13. The team produced a well rounded performance with all 10 players getting on the score sheet.

The women’s team over came some suspect refereeing decisions to get a hugely important victory on a mammoth trip to Bangor on Monday. None the less the women’s came away with a hard fought low scoring 34-32 victory.

Next week the men travel to Manchester Met 2nds while the women’s team look for revenge when they host Lancaster at Foster Sports Centre.

By Sean Mahoney