[27 FEB 10] CRUSADER NEWS

 Coventry Crusaders (31) 81

Manchester Magic (36) 92

Match Report by James Bourne:

 

Coventry Crusaders fell to an 81-92 loss at home to the Manchester Magic in Division One, but it was an encouraging performance by Scott Neely’s men which brings optimism for the season’s run-in.

Magic were on a three game losing streak, but had the return of American Brandon Kimbrough after a three month absence, whilst Crusaders were winless in four but had Ben Timms back in the squad. Injury doubts Dan Taylor and Kane Hudson were not risked.

The game also saw an intriguing battle between two of the league’s most influential players, in John Olinger and Stefan Gill, which ended in an honourable draw.

Both captains hit 23 points for their respective teams and did their stats no harm, with Olinger hitting an 86% free throw average to keep him at the top of the league from frees, and Gill keeping an average of over 25 points per game with his evening’s tally.

The first quarter was a low-scoring affair, with few chances inside causing players to miss shots from distance. Magic took a 1-7 lead early on, with a Nathan Schall slam dunk the highlight, but Crusaders went on a fine ten point run, restricting the visitors’ main shooters and using their forwards on defensive boards.

Olinger top scored for Crusaders in the quarter with five – including three from four free throws – with the best score coming from Dave Edden having quickest reactions to tap rebound his own shot.

Manchester however continued to remain dangerous, and a Stefan Gill score on the buzzer meant that the two sides were level at 11-11 after the first ten. However Magic coach Jeff Jones wasn’t at all happy with his side’s performance.

The second quarter was more open, but the scoring remained tight, with Coventry going in front early on thanks to a three from Dave Edden and neat inside work from Ryann Samuel to make it 16-11.

The lead was kept until Stefan Gill’s fine long effort made it 23-24, which was an advantage that Manchester held on to for the rest of the game.

A few individual mistakes crept into the home side’s game however, including missed chances from the free throw line.

American forward Matt Smith often used his strength well, making inroads towards the Magic’s two point zone and drawing fouls, but he only secured a 40% conversion rate with free throws. Despite this, he was the top scorer in the quarter with eight.

Magic extended the lead to eight points thanks to a Brandon Kimbrough score, and following a timeout, baskets were traded from both sides to leave it 31-36 at half time.

Coventry was still very much in the contest as the second half began, but Manchester were starting to exert their authority through Stefan Gill and David Watts, and Crusaders to their credit dug in and ensured the game remained tight.

John Olinger had a fine quarter. He nailed the longest three of the night to make it a two-point game at 39-41, and left Stefan Gill for dead on two occasions, ghosting past the league’s top scorer as if he wasn’t there.

But after coolly laying up the first time to make it 47-54, the Magic captain had the last laugh as, after the ball was batted away by a Manchester hand, Gill went up the other end, nailed the two and drew the foul from Simon Payne, who caught his leg as he was tracking back.

Gill duly slotted home the free throw to put Manchester’s lead on eight again at 49-57.

Crusaders fought hard at the end of the quarter, but the lead remained at eight thanks to David Watts – who top scored with 27 and was a constant threat outside the arc – slotting home a three on the buzzer to leave the scores at 53-61.

The crowd at the Sports Centre sensed the Crusaders could overturn the deficit, and became more vocal in their support.

This seemed to galvanise the players, and Coventry showed a lot of heart, as well as a fair amount of skill, to try and get the win.

Ryann Samuel had one of his best games in a Crusaders jersey, notching the best score of the night as he weaved his way through three Magic defenders before classily laying up to make it 63-73 in an even-paced opening.

Coventry slowly ebbed away at the visitors’ advantage. John Olinger made four points in one play after being fouled outside the arc to make it 67-75, and he punched the air in delight when the three landed.

A rocket from Stephen Danso left the scores at 79-81 with two minutes to go, but Manchester’s experience saw them through, and a nine-point run from the visitors ensured an 81-92 success.

After the game, head coach Scott Neely had mixed feelings about the result and the performance.

Neely said: “We pulled it close, the Manchester coach had to call a timeout to get the guys settled back in, and then they came back out and executed as one of the top teams that they are, and have been for the past couple of years.

“In one sense I’m pleased but it’s again about [being] consistent, playing committed and fighting for it for the whole forty minutes.”

 

 

Quarter Scores:  11-11, 20-25, 22-25, 28-31.

 

Crusaders top scorers: John Olinger 23, Stephen Danso 18, Matt Smith 15.

 

Magic top scorers: Watts 27, Gill 23, Kimbrough 22.

 

Crusaders next home match is on the 21st March when they face Leeds Carnegie, tip-off is 4.00pm at the Coventry Sports Centre.

  Main Menu | News | Crusaders vs. Manchester Magic  27 FEB 2010