Sunderland M1 77-92 Leeds Beckett M1: Inspired fourth quarter performance not enough

An unlikely comeback was prevented by Leeds Beckett as Sunderland receive a second loss of the season.

Leeds Beckett came to CitySpace with a high intensity pressing defence which Sunderland could not cope with throughout the game. The home team started the game strong but as Leeds Beckett warmed up, Sunderland had to face a defence they hadn’t experienced at home yet this season.

The standout performers for Team Sunderland were Emmanuel Hezekiel and Youssif Nahkla who scored 43 of the teams 77 points.

Being down 20 points at moments in the game it was unlikely that Sunderland could make a comeback however there were moments in the fourth quarter where a couple scores could’ve sparked a scoring run resulting in the impossible being possible.

Sunderland were without star performer from last weeks game Mario Tanuous to start. That game was a 88-70 win over Durham seconds and a win which Sunderland were entering this game on.

A win for either side in this matchup would mean they pull ahead for second place in the league.

Sunderland started the game strong with a 9-2 scoring run and the momentum was in their hands but for the rest of the quarter Leeds Beckett went on a 18-9 run after a very turnover heavy first quarter for both teams.

The second quarter was one to forget for Sunderland as Leeds Beckett dominated. They played defence as if they had six players on the court and a dunk by the opposing 44 player cemented the fact that the momentum was entirely with the away teams side with the quarter also ending 21-11 in Leeds’ favour.

Sunderland had to open the second half strong and did so by cutting the lead down to 7 but then fell away for the rest of the quarter by allowing 31 points and finding themselves 20 points down.

In the fourth quarter the home side were inspired and outscored Leeds Beckett in a quarter for the first time this game 27-20. They cut the lead down to 10 points however Leeds Beckett managed to weather the storm and see the game out.

Sunderland drop to third in the Northern Tier 2B league, trailing first place Newcastle 2s by nine points. Sunderland are set for a rematch against Durham 2s on the 10th of December.