Tigers skin saved by late escape
A massive 17 points ahead in the third quarter, Thames Valley Tigers were cruising to victory over Pertemps Bullets Birmingham in their Southern Conference top of the table clash at the NEC.
However, it almost all went pear-shaped for Paul James' side as they managed to fall one point in arrears late in the game before escaping the Midlands with a crucial 69-72 victory.
"We had a good lead in that half but a team like Birmingham won't go away," admitted Tigers Casey Arena, who had an outstanding game in delivering 17 points and 8 assists, including the final score of the game, which came after Martin Gottfried intercepted Bullets' last possession with just two seconds remaining.
Overall, the visitors probably merited the victory which edges them closer to Birmingham at the head of the Conference. Because after the home side had led 7-0 early on, it was largely one way traffic until the final quarter, as Arena took the controls of the match and guided the Tigers into a running machine.
Despite exactly half of his game best 22 points coming in the first half, Shawn Jamison was for long period, the Bullets only weapon at either end of the floor. Paul James' men out-rebounded their hosts comprehensively throughout and took the lead with eight unanswered point midway through the opening period.
A 4-18 spell in the second quarter which included eight from Billy Singleton off the bench, put Tigers ahead 22-33 and it was only a 6-0 Bullets close which kept their guests within nine points at half time.
A 0-7 run early after the re-start capped by Jason Siemon's 12th and final points of the game increased the Bracknell's side lead to 32-48 and when Arena converted a marvellous drive in heavy traffic with 3:11 left, his additional foul shot widened the deficit to 17 points.
However, Birmingham's defense kicked into life and set up Jamison for six points without opposition and when the hitherto anonymous Yorick Williams hit the first five points of an 11-0 start to the fourth period, combat was well and truly re-engaged.
Leading only by four points, Thames Valley went back to Arena for leadership and although he maintained his prolific run of scoring, it was three straight three points scores from first Nigel Lloyd, and then a pair from Williams which sent their side into a once unlikely lead at 69-68 with 1:39 remaining.
However, Jamison fouled out in the final minute and his absence allowed Tigers four straight shots before Greg Meldrum finally drained a spin move inside the key to restore Tigers' lead which they retained despite Lloyd's half court hail mary at the buzzer.
"I just wanted my big guys to be more active and they came and did that," said relieved coach James. "If they can do that, we're going to win a lot of games. It's a great victory for us, a four point game."
Having seen his team out-rebounded 25-41, Birmingham coach Mike Finger was less happy with the way his team showed, particularly by managing to notch a meagre 7/16 from the foul strip.
"If you're only going to play for 10 out of the 40 minutes, you're going to have problems. They just out-hustled us all night. It's very disappointing."
Williams ended with 15 points, at least a positive send-off prior to his involvement in England's internationals next week.
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