Tigers leave Sheffield with the two points
BBL Championship – Friday 23 March 2012
One Health Sharks Sheffield 74 Mersey Tigers 85
Mersey claimed the series against the Sharks with an impressive road win that keeps alive their playoff hopes.
A major surprise was the return to Sharks uniform of coach Atiba Lyons, but it was Tigers three man Sam Cricelli who opened the scoring and set the tone for the rest of the game. The Tigers were shorn of the experienced David Aliu and departed point guard Angelo Bustamante, making the best of their limited rotation. Defence set the byword for the majority of a relatively lacklustre fixture and so it was to prove for the first twenty minutes of the game. The Sharks shaded the first period 19-16 and held on to that slender lead by 37-33 at half time. The Tigers hit foul trouble relatively early on; Cricelli and Williams soon moving to three personal with Bailey contributing a first half technical, leaving expressive Mersey Coach Tony Garbelotto clutching at his remaining strands of hair.
The second half was a masterclass of defensive coaching as Garbelotto stamped his authority on a game that wouldn’t rank as a classic to the viewing public. A 16-7 run in the third gave Mersey a deserved 51-60 lead as Otten kept Langhurst under a tight reign and the impressive Cricelli began to find his range. The fourth quarter followed much the same pattern. Hesson extended his night’s work to 22 points despite hitting four fouls relatively early on and the frustration of Atiba Lyons was summed up in the technical he received as Tuck was called for an offensive foul when seemingly barged by multi-coiffeured Cricelli. Mersey extended their lead to 56-74 at its greatest and a lack of timeouts hindered Sheffield as they attempted to get in range to reduce the deficit.
Late scores from Tuck, Langhurst and Babalola reduced the arrears but it was Mersey who deservedly ran out 74-85 winners with Cricelli posting game-high points of 25 to keep the Tigers in with a chance of playoff places. Tuck received MVP plaudits for the Sharks with a double double of 19 points and 19 rebounds, alongside the free-scoring Jimmy Langhurst, who still contributed 19 points despite having been shadowed by the belligerent Otten all night. Tigers claim the league series by 2-1 and the Sharks must look to fight for what they can with a difficult road trip to Worcester to face the second-placed Wolves, in their quest to achieve the highest playoff position possible.
Cheshire Jets visit the EIS next Friday, Atiba Lyons having to re-introduce himself to a side that had become accustomed to playing without his undoubted influence. For Mersey, hope remains that they can gatecrash the end of season party with the undenied nouse of Coach Garbelotto crucial to his young, but talented group of players. March and April remains an intriguing period of the season that is for sure!
