Sunderland 72 – 60 Leeds: Men’s Basketball 1s show dominant second-half display in opening victory

A physical game saw Sunderland manage to win 72-60 against Leeds, earning themselves BUCS performance of the week from Team Sunderland.

The opening game of the season included a heated moment on Sunderland’s bench and saw Sunderland outscore Leeds in every quarter. The game was set up for a great finish after some technical scoreboard difficulties.

There was a standout performance from Emmanuel Hezekiel as he collected a three pointer, and did well in the key to score for Sunderland. Another standout performance came from Mario Tanuous as he gave his team several points from tough layups.

Leeds’ start to the game was very physical as within 3 minutes into the first quarter: they had reached 5 fouls, allowing Sunderland’s first six points to come from free throws, as the game experienced a back and forth start leaving the score at 10-10.

Finishing the first quarter 16-14 up, the Sunderland team looked to press on, however they found themselves victim of eight unanswered points bringing the game to 16-22.

A timeout for Sunderland meant they could regroup and came out of the timeout denting the deficit, bringing themselves back four points. They came back in the second quarter bringing the scores level again.

Sunderland risked allowing Leeds to gain momentum in the beginning of quarter three as they went on to score four, although the home side provided a much needed response going on a run of their own and destroying the Leeds momentum, as Leeds turned the ball over leading to a fast break, and Hezekiel dunking the ball. Capitalising on another Leeds turnover, Sunderland extended their lead by 2 points.

Tanuous done well to keep hold of the ball, leading to a shooting foul which helped the Sunderland team gain momentum to close out the third quarter.

Hezekiel showed what he could do in the key by completing a difficult layup and then Tanuous done well again to steal the ball and convert it into 2 points. Hezekiel made sure the momentum was with Sunderland as his three pointer to close out the third quarter was made.

Leeds started the fourth quarter with a three pointer of their own as they had a deficit to catch up to.

With five minutes left in the game the scoreboard stopped working and prompted both players to rest for five minutes and recuperate for a tense ending as Sunderland had to hold onto their healthy lead.

However, Hezekiel scored a layup and got the shooting foul which spoiled any chance of a late Leeds comeback.

On the court, the end to the game was tense as Sunderland looked like they could secure their first win of the season in their first game. Off the court, Youssif Nahkla was subbed off and came back pushing and shoving from fellow team mate Paul Graham on the bench.

The Sunderland team closed out the game and won by 12 points, bringing them to 2nd in the Northern Tier 2B league. They will be looking to continue this form against York St Johns in the Northern Conference Cup on the 29th October.