UCLan 1sts 93-78 Chester 1sts

A thrilling top-of-the table clash at Foster Sports Centre saw UCLan’s Men’s Basketball team beat the University of Chester.

The 93-78 win, UCLan’s fourth in their opening four games, gives them a three point lead at the top of BUCS Northern Conference Division 2. Continue Reading

UCLan Men 71-65 Bolton 1sts

UCLan’s Men’s Basketball team overcame swine flu and a stubborn University of Bolton side to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Coached by Craig Wright, UCLan were in control for most of the game but they had to survive a late Bolton fightback to win 71-65.

The win avenged the defeat to Bolton at the end of last season that effectively ended UCLan’s title challenge.

Despite the result, Wright wasn’t pleased with the performance.

“We were shocking,” he said. “We made it hard work for ourselves. We kept getting in the right situation but we couldn’t finish.”

He was satisfied, however, that the team had extended their perfect start to the league campaign. “It wasn’t pretty but we won. Sometimes it’s nice to play badly and win.”

Shrugging off the effects of a bout of swine flu, Matt Brown was instrumental in the win from the bench.

“Matt played well,” said Wright. “He would normally play a lot more minutes but he got a few blocks and brought us a lot of energy.”

“Ben Eisenhandler did well too,” he added. “He gave us a real offensive threat.”

UCLan looked the sharper and more organised in the warm-up but it was Bolton who made the better start, finishing the first quarter four points in front.

Astonishingly, Bolton appeared to take a 70-40 lead within the first few minutes. The game was stopped momentarily, however, as the scoreboard was adjusted to the more accurate scoreline of 7-4.

In the second quarter, after Ben Eisenhandler had almost cut Bolton’s lead to one point at the end of the first quarter with an audacious attempt from inside his own half, UCLan drew level. The influential Sean Mahoney then scored five quick points to give the home side a lead they would not relinquish.

UCLan made a ferocious start to the second half and, thanks to some rapid attacking and Bolton defensive mistakes, opened up a 20 point lead.

But Bolton would not lie down and, in a frantic finish, they reduced the deficit to four points with just two minutes on the clock. Two late fouls by Bolton allowed the home team to hold on.

Next week UCLan face Chester, who have also started the campaign with three wins and no defeats. Both teams are locked at the league summit. A win for UCLan would see them take top spot outright.

By Guy Kilty

UCLan Men 84-73 Lancaster 1sts

An incredible performance by UCLan’s Men’s Basketball team meant they came away with an important 84-73 victory at Lancaster.

With the heartbreaking cup semi final loss to Lancaster last season on their own court lingering in the teams mind, revenge was the goal coming into this game.

UCLan made a flying start, forcing many steals spearheaded by a fantastically implemented press defence. Matt Brown drew many fouls and stroked his subsequent free throws for an impressive 9 points at the end of the first quarter, putting the team up 21-12.

The defence just kept getting stronger and stronger, scaring Lancaster into more and more turnovers. New acquisition Joel Augustine was at the heart of this intensity and adding another threat on the offensive end too.

Augustine, Sean Mahoney and Chris Smith all threw three pointers backing into halftime put the team up 46-37 at the break.

The second half saw more of the same; steals, fast breaks and a lead that continued to grow.

The lead grew up to 80-55 mid way through the fourth quarter and the game was in the bag.

Due to a sudden spark in Lancasters shooting touch in the dying minutes the lead was trimmed but it was too late for the home side.

As what is expected of a local rivalry, the game was very intense and physical, many flagrant fouls and technical fouls were given in a result.

With the exception of the last few minutes, the team put in what was arguably their best performance in recent years, and will be looking to build on this confidence when they host Bolton, next Wednesday, at Foster Sports Centre.

By Sean Mahoney