The biggest game of the season so far for the England senior squad as they faced 16th ranked Bosnia in a game that would all but guarantee qualification if they win.
England started the game with aggressive intent to put a stamp on the game. Unfortunately C Frank Dolan fell injured in the first minute of the game but England responded by winning the quarter 27-17. It was a team effort as there were 7 different players get on the scoreboard in the 1st quarter. England’s aggressive player sent them to line line 16 times in the first quarter, putting the Bosnia team in some foul trouble.
Bosnia’s C Milan Matanovic was enjoying not having Dolan in the game as he started the game 7-7 FG on his way to 15 points and 7 rebounds in the half, however foul trouble was playing a part on his performance. England’s veteran backup PG Aarumughasami Lal shot 5-5 in the first half to keep the scoreboard on the correct side from an English point of view. A buzzer eater 3 from PF Dexter Barral sent England in to half time winning 50-39.
England came out after half time looking to push on and put the game beyond doubt, and they started really well with a 10-2 run which pushed the lead up to 19! PG Ian Needham starting the run with an assist to a Ken Greene dunk followed by a dunk of his own. Barrel then had a mini solo run with back to back baskets. The England lead peaked at 20 points with just under 5 minutes to go in the 3rd period. A 6-0 run for Bosnia reduced the lead but then dominant C Matanovic fouled out with around 3 and half minutes in the period to go and England thought the game was there for the taking… but Bosnia had other plans. The score at 80-67 heading in to the last quarter.
The start of the quarter was tightly contested as the lead remained at 13 with over 5 and half minutes to go as England looked to hold out for the win. However Bosnia wasn’t willing to give up and they clawed their way back to 6 points with a minute to go. A missed rebound by C Kenny MacLaverty and offensive fouls be Barral, mixed in with 2 3 pointers by Bosnia tied the game with 16 seconds left. MacLaverty had a chance to make up for his missed rebound with a shot to win the game but came up short, but recovered well to force a missed Bosnia 3 and we head to overtime! Bosnia fought back from 20 points down!
SG Magdaleno Banuelos started the OT period with a layup and 3 pointer to give the early advantage to England before he fouled out. With just over 2 minutes to go, Needham hit a fade-away to put England up 99-98, and this proved to be enough as England didn’t give up the lead from this point and held on to pick up the crucial win.
This win all but guarantees qualification for the England senior squad. To not qualify, England would need to lose to Cyprus and Switzerland would need to beat Germany plus a 120 point points difference swing.
Congratulations to Vycka on this achievement in his first season!
Players of the game:
3 points- Ian Needham- 24 points on 8-11FG, 8-8FT shooting as the PG led the way in efficient manner. He also added 6 rebounds and 3 assists with 0 turnovers and helped limited the Bosnia PGs to shooting only 1-9FG.
2 points- Dexter Barral- A 22 point, 12 rebound double-double as well as 4 assists and 2 blocks for the big guy in an impressive display.
1 point- Ken Greene- another balanced stating for Greene who finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds (4 offensive), 4 assists and a block.