Coventry Crusaders (50) 92 Manchester Magic (48) 109

Crusaders Could Not Repeat the Magic Against Manchester

From the very beginning of this game the two teams were looking like offence was going to be the order of the day.  

The Crusaders came out strong with Scott Neely scoring 12 points in the 1^st quarter, and they finished the 1^st quarter with just one point difference between them 23 –22. 

Coach Dip Donaldson used his whole bench the 1^st half.  That was the reason the team was fresh and looking forward to the 2^nd half. At half-time Crusaders led 50 –48 and the game was as tight it could be with the two sides trading baskets and neither one able to shake the other. 

Manchester Magic showed why they have only lost one league game in the 3^rd, however. They kept their composure and didn’t let the Crusaders 67 –60 lead rattle them. 

Crusaders couldn’t control the hot shooting of Magic’s Matt Miller and John Caginello, who shot to get Manchester level and then surge forward. 

The Crusaders were getting some fine assists from Sam Oatman as he found Scott Neely and Ed Baynes Clarke regularly. Wes Hall rebounding was very helpful as he helped fill the shoes of the team’s leading rebounder, Sam Spare who was not available for the match.

Dip Donaldson showed a few old times moves as he scored from inside.  

At the end of the quarter, Magic had regained the lead 75-72, and although Oatman led all Crusaders scorers with 24 points Crusaders didn’t get as much scoring as Dip Donaldson likes in the second half.  

“I was hoping for a strong second half with the full squad of players. We just didn’t get the job done on the defensive end. We scored 93 and that’s great but we gave up 109!  We didn’t play team defence very well against Manchester and they did a better job of exposing our weakness.  We didn’t adjust well. 

I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in the last two games.  Our players are starting to understand their roles so that really helps. In the New Year it will be harder to get playing time on this team. That only helps us to get better and play at a higher level.” 

In the end Manchester overpowered the home team with long range accuracy that was unmatched by Crusaders.  Magic went home for Christmas with a 109-92 win under their belt and the satisfaction of a game well played. 

Crusaders take a long and well-deserved break now.  Their next home game is Sat. 21^st January.

(Team scoring unavailable at this time)