BUCS Focus: M2 Basketball

Northumbria University M2 Basketball earned their first win of the BUCS season with a 75-68 win at Sheffield Hallam University.

After a disappointing home loss to open their Northern 1A campaign Northumbria earned their first points of the season thanks to a 25-point performance from young Newcastle Eagles talent Danny Horta-Darrington.

Newly appointed head coach Dan Kovacs was delighted with his team’s performance as he earned his first victory as a Northumbria coach.

“It was a great team effort so I’m happy with the first win,” said Kovacs.

“We all stuck together and worked hard as a team. What made it better was that we were able to grind out the win as we went out there and knocked down free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

“It is a really good squad we have this year especially with some of the first team dropping down. Iit looks like it’s going to be a promising season.”

Despite Northumbria’s fast start Hallam were able to cut down the double digit lead in the second half.

However they were unable to overhaul the visitors thanks to late free throws from Horta-Darrrington as the visitors left the English Institute of Sport with the win.

Coach Kovacs was impressed with the effort shown from his reserves on the day as two of his big men were able to come off the bench and perform when needed.

“I think Ish (Ishmael Ingram) really impressed me today,” added Kovacs. “I think sometimes he shies away from contact inside but today he got stuck in and got me some rebounds and baskets inside.

“Also Back (Steven Back) got out there and got some key rebounds in his short spell which is exactly what I asked him to do.”

Northumbria will look to earn their second victory in a row when they travel to Preston to play UCLAN University at the Sir Tom Finney Centre on October 26 (6pm tip-off).