Raiders take charge to beat Heat
For the first twenty minutes at least, it looked as if Saturday night’s game at Pavilions was going to be a tough one for the UCP Raiders. With only six points in it at the half, Coach Love’s men put on a defensive clinic to start the third, and simply blew away the previously in form Guildford Heat.
If there is one area the Heat are clearly lacking in, it’s the point guard department. Realistically, Albert Margi is a backup, an energy guy capable of coming in and mixing things up defensively, and maybe knocking down a couple of shots. The Heat started with Margi running the show at the point, but soon switched over to the services of former Raider guard Andrew Lasker, who – as all Raiders supporters are well aware of – is far more comfortable creating for himself than for his team-mates.
Lacking a true point guard, the Heat struggled for direction, and when times got bad for the South-East club, they desperately needed someone they could call upon to calm things down and take control of matters. Without this, what was once a close game, soon become a total demolition act by the home town Raiders, a 23-4 third quarter surge officially labelling the game a blow-out.
The opening quarter was a lively one, fans were treated to some highlight reel plays by both outfits as the two teams came out thriving with energy. James Jones had a steal and a lob to Lehmon Colbert who converted on the play, before Tayo Ogedengbe soared up for a two handed flush over the absent Raider defence. As things settled down, and the initial energy levels subsided, affairs got a little sloppy as both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net, hustle points were vital and it was the Heat who were finding them as they ground their way to a 20-16 first quarter lead.
Just like he has in so many games already this season, Anthony Martin played the role of game changer. Excellent in transition, Martin found both Bell and Colbert on the break, and persisted on running the ball down the throat of the Heat defence. The Raiders were playing much more loosely, they had a rhythm and flow to their game as they registered 31 points in the second period alone – almost doubling their first quarter effort. The Raiders went into the half up 47-41, and despite the close scoreline, looked firmly in control.
To start the second half, the Raiders switched up their defence and went zone on the Heat, the Heat’s offence spluttered and fell apart – scoring just 12 points in the quarter. For Raiders, Colbert and Williams were making themselves known inside as they bullied the Heat’s interior defenders. Bell, who had been scoring off some incredibly tough shots the whole game, found support in the form of James Jones who came to life scoring off a baseline jumper before putting the ball on the floor and finishing at the rim. Raiders rookie Michael Ojo, chipped in with his trademark 3’s off beautiful Raiders ball movement, the synergy and cohesion of a team brimming with confidence on their on floor was on full display as the lead kept on extending, Raiders up 74-51 late in the quarter.
With the result already a formality, the final quarter played itself out in a predictable manner. With five minutes left, the scoreboard read 88-55. Love used this chance to run his bench, Janusauskas and Seeley both receiving some burn as the starters sat and enjoyed the final few minutes as spectators. The final score ended with Raiders beating the Heat 98-68, the Cup final defeat from a week ago firmly behind them.
