BUCS Focus: M2 Basketball

A brave cup run ended in disappointment for Northumbria University M2 Basketball after they bowed out in the semi-finals to Glasgow by a single point in Bath.

Despite a heartbreaking 67-66 loss, the side exceeded all expectations by reaching the latter rounds of the competition and improved upon last year’s performance by going one round further.

A fine opening quarter put Northumbria in the driving seat with a big opening basket as they played Glasgow off the court with some strong offensive plays to lead by three at 21-18.

It was much the same story in the second as TN continued to push for the all-important win and looked odds on to do so as they went into the second half with a five-point margin at 40-35.

Another rampant quarter from the underdogs had them lead by as many as 12 points over the Scots, who looked all but out of the game going into the fourth trailing 55-48.

With one foot seemingly into the final TN continued to push for the victory but soon fell victim to tired legs as Glasgow pressed the game. And with only 10 seconds remaining the Scots grabbed a late final basket to steal the win.

Captain Steven Back said: “We were so unfortunate after having a really good game for the majority.

“In the fourth quarter, we just ran out of legs and the guys on court were exhausted. It’s obviously disappointing we couldn’t close it out right to the very end but these things happen.

“Our first half performance was brilliant. Everyone stepped up when called upon yet they didn’t have the energy in the end. We can’t blame anyone.

“It was really our game for the taking and on another day we could’ve had them. They managed to pull it back and was a really hard game to lose.”

The end of the game also sees the captain end his time with the side as he moves on. But Back is hopeful that the returning players can perform next year and again improve to reach the final.

“It was a shame and a tough way to finish - it would’ve been nice to ended on a positive note,” added Back. “A lot of the guys coming back next year will want to come back and improve upon it but we need to hold our heads high this season.”