We saw 2 big game 3s tonight with EBBL promotion up for grabs.
Division II.2
A 33-15 4th quarter won Roaring Lions the division II.2 title as they beat MexicanTaxiDriver 102-90 in game 3. SG Govardhan Sengupta hit 14-14 free throws on his way to 26 points. Simon Redding also added 24 points in the victory. PF Cristino Caulers had a 24 point, 10 rebound double double but the Roaring Lions star power proved to be too much.
Congratulations to both coaches as Roaring Lions win promotion to the EBBL by winning the title, but with the best record not to win a title, MexicanTaxiDriver also earn promotion. Galaxy Walkers are the team that has now lost out on promotion.
Division II.4
A game winning dunk by PF Clint Franks gave St Purple & Greens a historic win and promotion to the EBBL for the first time in their history.
A closely battled 4th quarter came to a climax with Miguel Hayos hitting a 3 pointer with 50 seconds to go to tie the game before Clint Franks scored a layup to regain the lead for the Purple & Greens. Hayos was able to then tie the game once more with a shot from the top of the key with 4 seconds to go. The St Purple & Greens coach opted not to call a time out, but it paid off as Franks ploughed his way to basket and score a dunk on the buzzer to win the game!
Congratulations to Retrolego on winning promotion to the EBBL. Unlucky to hono who battled as the 4th seed to come 2 points away from winning the title.
I’d also like to add, commiserations to testudo and his team Isca Centurians who were leading in the game 3 but saw both their highest salary players go down injured in the game and went on to lose. That is some really bad luck! Also thank you for reporting on the division III leagues. It’s great to see a new manager excited about the game!