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The BiG Storage Cheshire Jets, who won the BBL Trophy on four
consecutive occasions between 2001-2004, threw group one wide open
with an 87-74 defeat of the reigning champions, the Kularoos
Plymouth Raiders, at the Northgate Arena.
Jayson Obazuaye had an amazing night as his huge 43 points inspired
the Jets to victory; Shawn Myers supported him with 21. DeAntoine
Beasley led the Raiders with 23.
The visitors held an early lead at 10-13 before Obazuaye turned in
one of the best spells of individual play seen in the BBL. He sank
the last eight points of the first quarter, followed by the first
six for his team in the second stanza to propel the Jets into a
24-15 lead. Shortly afterwards the Raiders hit back with 7 straight
points, but the hosts closed the first half with a 12-2 surge,
including 6 for Obazuaye and 6 for Gianni Costantiello, to lead
42-26. Obazuaye had 16 second quarter points, and was on 26 in total
by that point.
Beasley opened the scoring in the third, on his way to 8 points in
the period, but Obazuaye hit the next two baskets and the Raiders
could not close the gap.
Plymouth pressed for the entirety of the final period, but 10 points
from Drew Lasker and two three-pointers from Gavin Love were not
enough despite their winning the stanza by 29-26.
This group now goes down to the wire as the Marshall MK Lions and
BiG Storage Cheshire Jets each face the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester
Riders next week. A win for the Lions will see them through to the
semi-finals regardless of what happens elsewhere courtesy of having
the head-to-heads over both the Raiders and the Jets; if the Lions
lose, and the Jets beat Leicester, then the Jets progress as
group-winners courtesy of having taken the head-to-head over
Plymouth.
The draw for the BBL Trophy semi-finals, taking place at Ponds Forge
ISC on Saturday 2nd February, will be made on Monday.
Words:
BBL Web Site
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