The Danum Eagles fell to 0-2
in Men’s NBL Division 2 action with an 80-93 loss
against the Kent Crusaders on Saturday.
In a hard
fought loss, the Crusaders proved too much for the Eagles on the day, with
forward John Shopido scoring a game-high 37 points.
The Eagles
started well, creating open looks for shooters and not turning the ball over.
However, early missed layups and free-throws allowed the Crusaders fast-break opportunities,
which they scored 10 points from in the first quarter.
In the
second quarter, the two teams were initially trading buckets including plays
from forward Mathew Martin, who hit a fadeaway jumpshot to beat the shot clock
and guard Paul Walsh beating his defender with a head-fake before finishing
nicely in the paint.
Towards the
end of the half, Eagles turnovers led to easy transition baskets for Crusaders,
with Shopido finishing on drives to the rim and being fouled.
The Eagles
went into the half with a point 15 deficit.
Whatever
coaches Bob Martin and Ross Stafford said to their guys at the half certainly
showed. The Eagles started the half more aggressive whilst drawing fouls and
got off to an 8-0 run, with Tom Hodson and Liam Knapp hitting consecutive
3-pointers.
Early in
the third, Crusaders star man Shopido picked up his third foul and left the
game. In his absence, Kent only managed two points in five minutes.
The
momentum had shifted towards the Eagles later on in the 3rd when the
Eagles bench were fired up courtesy of a Brandon Smith and-1 and a Josh Metcalf
deep 3-pointer.
In the
fourth quarter, the Eagles had pulled it back to a 4-point game.
However,
the Crusaders made huge plays on defence, with Mohammad Adamu making a
chase-down block and finishing at the other end.
Kent’s
intensity on defence caused turnovers, which led to easy transition baskets,
giving them an 18-point lead with 6 minutes to go.
Turnovers
and impressive Crusaders defence late on made it difficult for the Eagles to
surge a late comeback, and the Eagles fell short.
