Raiders first in to last four
BBL Cup – 4 Nov’ 2011
Sheffield Sharks 83 PlymouthRaiders 85
Paul Williams returned to haunt his former team as he claimed a great double-double and the game winning basket to put Raiders into the semi-final of the BBL Cup.
There was absolutely nothing to choose between both teams in a tight opening five minutes until Sharks made a move after Jeremy Bell had put Raiders in front at 9-8. The home team posted an 11-4 burst to take the initiative but a Lehmon Colbert three-pointer helped the visitors trim the deficit to 21-18 heading into the second period.
Gavin Love and his players stepped up their defensive effort and held Sharks to just one score during almost four minutes at the start of the second quarter and this allowed them to wrestle the initiative away from their hosts.
They were still in front at 32-27 with five minutes remaining until the break but Sheffield rallied and began to apply some pressure at both ends of the floor. Zac Gachette was instrumental in the Sharks revival with a couple of nice scores as they finished with a 13-7 run to take a one point lead to the locker rooms.
Meanwhile for Raiders, it was Bell and Colbert who were doing the damage with a combined 26 points in the first half.
It was Colbert who continued his good work when the teams returned from their break and he handed Plymouth the lead again at 47-46 with an inside score. While both teams enjoyed shares of the lead shortly afterwards, Raiders began to turn the screw and managed to post the run which effectively set up victory.
They outscored their opponent 15-6 to finish the third quarter with a real flourish and when Michael Ojo made a triple to start the fourth, quickly followed by a score from Bell, the game looked to be up for Sharks. In particular, with Raiders looking strong and Paul Williams clearly enjoying playing against his former employers as he began to come alive.
However the home team had other ideas and no intentions of sliding out of the Cup so easily. They were determined on setting up a thrilling finale and Nate Reinking cut the lead to a paltry four points at 81-77 with three minutes to play.
Things became even more tense when a moments later, Olu Babalola made it a one shot game but neither team could score in the last two minutes.
Sharks found themselves with the ball on halfway after a time-out, still 83-81 behind with 20 seconds remaining and a chance to tie or win the contest. Jimmy Langhurst ended up getting fouled and showed he has ice running through his veins by levelling the scores with 13 seconds remaining.
However it was Williams who proved to be the hero as he stung his former team by pulling down a big offensive rebound in the dying seconds and making the killer score to put his team through to the last four of the competition.
Williams claimed an impressive double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds while recent signing Jeremy Bell showed exactly why Raiders swooped for him with a game high score of 29.
The defeat was tough on Great Britain guard Nate Reinking who had 25 points for the home team.
Reinking 25, Langhurst 18, Dobbins 14
Bell 29, Colbert 20, Williams 17
