Basketball Flyers undone by Surrey’s strong finish in cup game
BRISTOL Flyers were edged out 82-81 at home to Surrey Scorchers in the BBL Cup.
Mike Miller top-scored for Flyers with 22 points, with Surrey’s Stanley Davis Jr totalling 17 points.
Flyers took the lead early and led through most of the game. Malcolm Delpeche opened the scoring with a two-handed dunk as a statement of intent. Marcus Evans followed up with a three-pointer and Raphell Thomas-Edwards also splashed a triple to put Flyers’ scoring into double digits.
Shane Walker closed out the first period on a high with a trip to the foul line after being fouled on a three-point attempt, making all three of the resulting free throws.
Flyers built a ten-point lead at the half-time break with Trejon Jacob finding easy looks for his team-mates. The third quarter saw Miller putting on a scoring clinic, but Flyers’ defensive intensity dropped and Surrey were able to win the period 24-22 to cut into the lead.
A fourth quarter comeback from Scorchers saw them take control with just under four minutes remaining. Flyers battled back but could not seize the lead down the stretch.
TURNING POINT
WITH Flyers’ offence misfiring in the fourth quarter, it was outside shooting from Scorchers that allowed them to erase the deficit in a hurry. Tayo Ogedengbe was first to sink a three-pointer. A turnover allowed Martelle McLemore to follow-up with a transition triple. A further turnover allowed Stanley Davis Jr. to get out in transition and take the lead. A tip-in from Saiquan Jamison cemented the lead and Scorchers never looked back.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
MIKE Miller led the way for Flyers with an efficient 22 points shooting 56 per cent from the field. He added seven rebounds, four steals and three assists and again finished the game with zero fouls for the second time in the week.