 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are currently 2 people viewing this website
The City of Sheffield Saints continued their good start to the season with a 100-72 win away at Barrow on Sunday. Despite the long trip to the North-west, the Saints came out strongly, going on a 9-2 tear in the first 3 minutes of the game. Starting his first game since a pre-season ankle injury, Chris 'Tilly' Hackett scored 9 of his game high 27 points in the first quarter, while the Saints defence stopped Barrow in their tracks. Garnet Gayle, Andy Turner and Chris Law were all perfect from the free-throw line, and Pete Olusoga drained a long-range 3 to give the Saints a 24-16 lead at the end of the first period.
The Saints outscored their hosts 17-7 to start the second quarter and held a 41-23 advantage with 5 minutes to go until half-time. Hackett and Olusoga combined for 15 points in the quarter while Kyle Styan entered the action only to go down with a badly sprained ankle after a minute on court. Franz-von Shorter's introduction to the game caused more problems for the Thorns' back-court and Gayle continued to direct the action at the offensive end, scoring 5 more points of his own, and giving the Saints a commanding 50-31 lead at half time.
Barrow came out with a greater intensity after the break, with Gayle scoring the only basket for the Saints in an 8-2 run for the home team. However, despite a series of calls seeming to go against the visitors, the 14 point margin was as close as Barrow would get as the Saints defence stepped up a notch allowing Turner and Law to repeatedly score on the break. Hackett continued to rack up the points from the foul line (8/8 for the game) as the Thorns struggled to cope with his strength inside, and a 3 from Law restored the Saints 20 point lead.
Turner and Law continued to benefit from the fast break opportunities created by the Saints tough defence and Rich Fooks was the beneficiary of yet another break as the Thorns' defence began to tire. Allott drained a trademark 3 pointer to give the saints a 98-68 lead going into the final minute and with only seconds remaining, Gayle was fouled and sank both free-throws to seal the 100-72 victory for the Saints.
Scorers
Saints
Hackett(27), Turner(18), Gayle(16), Law(15), Olusoga(12), Allott(5), Shorter(3), Fooks(2), Styan(2)
Barrow Thorns
Bowker(17), Johnson(12), Pearce(11)
The Saints will look to extend their winning streak as they play host to Mansfield Giants as part of a Hatters/Saints triple header on Saturday 21st Oct at Goals Sheffield (All Saints School). Saints tip-off 6pm.