BCB TROPHY RECAP: NSANGU GOES FOR 30 AND 20; KNIGHTS FINISH STRONG AGAINST DRAGONS
The BCB season returned strong out of the gates over the weekend with thrilling battles up and down the country.
Among them, the new-look Bristol Hurricanes earned bragging rights in the south-west, the Newcastle Knights continued where they left off last season, there was a thriller in the East Midlands, and Ty Nsangu made the mother of all statements.
BCB Trophy Storylines
- Ty Nsangu goes for 30 points and 20 rebounds in Hemel win
- Last season's Playoff champs, Newcastle come up clutch against the Dragons
- Bristol Hurricanes beat neighbours Bristol Flyers
- Hoods edge Trailblazers in East Midlands epic
Hemel Storm new boy, Ty Nsangu, erupted for 30 points and 20 rebounds in a monster double-double that led to his side posting an 85-80 road win over the Loughborough Riders.
Nsangu shot 14-for-19 from the field and added three assists and two rejections to his tally. His points haul was bettered by Riders returnee Jalen Cook, who had a whopping 39 points, but it wasn’t enough in an exciting battle.
Playoff champions Newcastle Knights needed a clutch 7-0 finish to begin their Trophy odyssey on a winning note by beating the Yorkshire Dragons 80-70 on Tyneside.
With the game on the line and more than 90 seconds left, Newcastle took the initiative to hold their counterparts scoreless in that time frame. Hafeez Abdul put the exclamation point on proceedings with a dunk to seal the deal.
New signing Luke House paced the Knights with 28 points, which included four triples in the haul and two steals. Jalen Shirley added 16. For Yorkshire, Jordan Jefferson had 18.
Yorkshire, though, quickly bounced back on Sunday, as they got the better of Falkirk Fury 97-92. On his home debut, Greg Wild led the Dragons by hitting six three-pointers for 33 points, along with six rebounds and six assists.
Bristol Hurricanes overpowered the Bristol Flyers II, 104-72, in an impressive performance to start the new campaign.
Ben Baker was sublime for the Hurricanes, leading the way with 28 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals in an all-round masterclass. Kobe Hill amassed 18 points in just 18 minutes to play an impressive supporting role.
Lanre Ayinla had 14 points on a solid 5-for-7 shooting for the Flyers.
Nottingham Hoods outlasted the Derby Trailblazers 79-76 at Harvey Hadden.
With the Hoods holding on to a one-point advantage, Jai Pathmarajah had a chance to win it for Derby, but his three-pointer at the top missed its mark, allowing the Hoods to ice the game from the line.
Cameron Kahn paced Nottingham with 23 points and eight rebounds.
Mo Walker starred on his Aldermore Reading Rockets debut, as he led them to an 80-54 win over the London Cavaliers.
Walker poured in 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting, 12 rebounds and six assists, without committing any turnovers in a virtuoso performance. Yusef Salih and debutant Jaxon Nap added 15. Former Rocket Zain Poorman led London with 15 points.
Worthing Thunder were dominant as they defeated NBL Division 2 side Portsmouth Force 104-65 in the south coast derby. Justin Hopkins led the Thunder with 26 points.
Milton Keynes Breakers were also victorious against NBL opposition, as they beat Oaklands Wolves 84-68. Nick Woodard led the victors with 26 points.
And in the all-NBL game in the Trophy, Gloucester City Kings dismissed the Plymouth Raiders 104-75. Veteran Jules Dang Akodo led the Kings with 21 points.
