03-08-10
CIA cool the Heat
CIA travelled to the formidable Space Centre in Hackney on Sunday evening to play Hoxton Heat for the first time this season. Despite a comfortable start for CIA, Hoxton never gave up, forcing a nail biting end that had everyone watching on the edge of their seat.
CIA started the game confidently, racing to an early 9-1 lead. Darryl Lewis opened the scoring, quickly followed by Montague and Bowler. As the first quarter came to a close Hoxton forced their way to the free throw line to edge closer, CIA maintaining a comfortable cushion at 22-12.
In the second quarter both teams were deadlocked scoring 16 a piece. CIA struggled to establish themselves in their offence but player/coach Brown hit 3 threes to keep them ahead. Michale Brown stood out on the defensive end as the rookie pulled down 8 rebounds in the first half. Brown would end the game on 10 rebounds. His brother, Gene Brown, closed out the quarter hitting a tough basket, drawing the foul and sinking the extra one to enter the half-time interval ahead, 38-28.
In the second half the pressure mounted as Hoxton profited from their home court advantage. CIA looked lathargic on both ends of the floor, struggling to execute their offense and allowing open shots on defence. Shooting Guard Nikhil Lawry provided a spark at the end of the quarter knocking down a difficult three before getting fouled on a three from the corner to head to the line, making all 3 of his foul shots.
In the final quarter Hoxton continued to pile on the pressure as the game began to heat up. Hoxton began the quarter with 8 unanswered points before extending to 17-4 run, forcing CIA to take a timeout to collect themselves. With Hoxton taking their first lead of the game, up by a single point, Tony Brown led by example, cooly knocking down a crucial three off the assist from Point Guard Luke Bowler, that would spark a 7-0 run of their own. With CIA leading by two points Point Guard Luke Bowler gambled throwing the alley oop to the flashing Montague, but the gamble paid off as Montague threw down a huge alley oop over Andreopoulos to give CIA the ignition they needed.
Just when it seemed CIA would regain control, Andrepoulos responded, driving to the 3-point line and launching a three in traffic, drawing a foul as well as banking the shot to shock the visitors. Andrepoulos had a chance for a 4 point play but missed from the line, the ball falling in the hands of Bowler who was quickly fouled and sent to the line. Bowler would hit 1 from 2 to go 75% for the game. Tony Brown hit the final 2 points of the game for CIA to close out the game. Hoxton outscored CIA 28-21 in the final quarter but it wasn’t enough as CIA held on to win 73-71.
Meanwhile Euston Power defeated NLA Saints in controversial fashion, joining CIA at the top of the league and battling for supremacy. CIA will host the Saints this weekend at Westcroft Leisure Centre in Carshalton at 7:30pm. They will be without Point Guard Luke Bowler but will hope to welcome back injured guard, Shaun Gray.
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