Northumbria Suffer Cruel Loss

Chris Bunten blamed a lack of concentration and miscommunication for a heartbreaking loss against Cardiff but claimed Team Northumbria can still cause a stir in the playoffs.

Last season’s playoff champions fielded two teenagers in Wales with no end in sight to the club’s terrible run of injuries.

But Bunten refused to blame the absence of key players for a last-second defeat after TN went down 58-55 in Cardiff.

“Poor decision making and miscommunication cost us in the end and it was a frustrating way to lose a basketball game,” he said.

“We should have won that match. Our best three players are better than their best three players and that showed for long periods of the match.

“At the very least we should have taken the match into overtime and won from there. We had a plan to deal with their final possession but that plan wasn’t carried out.

“In the end we left their best payer wide open for a three-pointer which she converted in the last second. I’m still struggling to understand how we lost.”

Bunten will be absent from Sunday’s homecourt clash against Oaklands at Sport Central but has left his players with explicit instructions.

“We know all about Oaklands and where their threat lies but it really isn’t about them,” he added. “This week is all about us and making sure we stick to what we do best.

“The next few weeks are all about trying to find a rhythm heading into the playoffs. We know we can cause any team a headache in a one-off match and come the playoffs we must be ready.

“We might have one or two players back and we might not.

“The injuries are something we’ve become used to. It’s something we’ve learnt to deal with and any improvement in that situation from here on in will be a bonus.

“It’s beyond our control. What we can do is make sure that we qualify for the playoffs and make things very difficult for whoever stands in our way.”

Kara Bonenberger top scored for TN in Cardiff with 18 points. Spanish import Claudia Baraut bagged a double double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

TN host Oaklands from 2pm on Sunday. Entry is free.