Game 1 of the finals is done!
EBBL
Arsenal 98 dominated the 2nd half in a 108-85 win in game 1 of the EBBL finals. A 57-34 second half from Arsenal means they go 1-0 up in the series, and maintain home court advantage should we have a game 3. 71 points from the Arsenal perimeter, led by 29 points from SG Placido Rubio Lopez. The EBBL MVP, Przemyslaw Gasecki, struggled in the game shooting on 2-12 FG and only 4 points. Hope Springs did win the battle on the boards, and were able to grab 22 offensive rebounds, but it wasn’t good enough to overcome the 17 3-pointers from Arsenal 98. Game 2 on Saturday could see Bergkamp win his first EBBL title, but Hope Springs will be looking for their home crowd to motive them to reach a game 3.
Leeds City Ballers started each half on fire with 38 points in the first quarter and 37 in the third as they comfortably beat Cambois Donkeys 114-98 to secure their EBBL status for next season. Leeds had 6 players score in double figures and had a total of 26 assists in a real team effort. SF Daryl Tracy shot 9-11 FG on his way to 23 points to lead the way for Leeds. PF Bart Leavy-McCarthy had a game high 32 points for the Donkeys who will find themselves in division 2 next season after two seasons in the EBBL.
In the other win or go down game, St Purple & Greens was able to overcome the home court advantage and win 112-100 thanks to a 38-24 final period. SF Ioannis Nikoloyiannis had a monster 41 points for the Purple & Greens. C Ernest Lichtarski also had a big game as he finished with 17 points, 16 rebounds and 6 blocks. MexicanTaxiDriver SG Roxer Palleres had an impressive 35 point, 8 assist game but too many fouls from MexicanTaxiDriver gave the Purple & Greens too many free throws for them to overcome in the end. St Purple & Greens survive for a second EBBL season whereas MexicanTaxiDriver will relegate back to division two after 1 season in the top flight.