BBL Towers out-come back Leopards in 2OT
Mark Woods
The final capital derby of the year almost lasted 12 months as Haribo London Towers defeated rivals Leopards 127-120 at the end of double overtime at Crystal Palace.
And it was Christmas come early for the packed house in the most electrifying Dairylea Dunkers Championship game of the season so far, a match in which the hosts came oh-so close to losing after holding a 20 point third quarter lead.
No wonder that Leopards boss Bob Donewald was smiling at the comeback. One technical foul, 12 points without reply and the East Enders produced an amazing rally which saw them lead, the trail before Brandon Brantley's 1/2 from the line send the contest into extra time.
The night really belonged to Danny Lewis, Towers point guard following his 47 points performance in midweek with an identical tally here. In overtime, Lewis was forced to carry his team who lost four players to five fouls by the close of play.
Leopards themselves were in foul trouble early on and they trailed 31-24 after a quarter despite the early efforts of Rashod Johnson, en route to a 28 point haul on his second debut with the club.
With Jason Kimbrough restored to health, the visitors forced a high-stakes, high-pace game but a 17-3 Towers run midway through the second period left them 48-38 in front.
After closing the half with a 7-0 run, the scoreline was 56-42 in the hosts' favour at the turn-around and although Leopards notched nine in a row in reply after the re-start, Towers response left them 78-58 clear.
Kimbrough sparked the equalising spurt with several scores and it was his pass to team-mate Johnson for a three-pointer which tied matters at 90-90 with 3:17 left in the fourth quarter. Moments later, Kimbrough's pair from the foul strip gave his side their first lead since the opening minutes.
Martin Henlan, installed in the starting line-up for the first time this season, put Ron Abegglen's team ahead 95-94 again before fouling out with 10 points and 15 rebounds, allowing Brantley to extend the evening's entertainment.
In the first overtime spell, Kenya Capers hit six quick Leopards points, one a trey which contributed to his team's a 100-106 lead. But just when the Towers looked beaten, a three from Steve Bucknall sparked a 6-0 run to square the game and force a further five minutes.
His team them notched the first five points of the following OT, the latter an alley-oop completed by Donnie Johnson to leave the Leopards trailing 113-106.
It was to be decisive, both Johnson's fouling out, followed quickly by Bucknall -with 23 points - and Barry Bowman on 19.
Capers grabbed a three point play from the latter's ejection to bring Donewald's men back to 121-119 and take his own team-high tally to 40 points. But he too departed the court and could only watch as Lewis and new arrival John Potter combined in a 6-1 Towers run which clinched a stunning victory.
The weary Towers now have to travel to Sheffield on Sunday to gun for the Sharks' 18 points winning run.
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