BASKET ACES
SCOTLAND’S basketball stars made history with their stunning win over Nigeria.
The hoops heroes will be the first ever Scotland team in any sport to play in a Commonwealth Games medal match after coming into the event as massive eighth-seeded underdogs.
They’ll face home nation Australia in the semi-finals on Saturday but even defeat will give them a crack at a bronze medal match against either Canada or New Zealand on the final day.
After wins over England, Cameroon and India took them to the qualifying final with the Africans they pulled off arguably one of the best results in their history in Cairns, 1000 miles north of the Games’ Gold Coast base, winning 66-61.
The Nigerians were led by 24 points from former NBA ace Ike Diogu, who was the ninth pick in the draft for the Golden State Warriors in 2005 after a superstar spell at Arizona State University.
And they also featured a BY GORDON WADDELL in Oz former college star with the best name in basketball – God’s Gift Achiuwa.
But they couldn’t find the divine intervention they needed and Scotland’s gutsy defence kept him and the rest of their players in single figures.
Proud Aussie coach Rob Beveridge, who only took over the reins of the team six weeks ago, said: “I’m really overwhelmed. We’ve had minimal preparation, the guys have just embraced me and embraced the team, we play for each other and it’s something special.
“We were only ranked eighth and won our rounds 3-0 and I told the guys, ‘We are here for a reason’.
“For us to beat a big strong Nigerian team tonight is amazing and we’re top four. Unbelievable. This is the probably the biggest thing that has ever happened for Scottish basketball.
“There is no doubt that social media and mainstream media back in Scotland is going crazy.
“I couldn’t be more proud to be given the opportunity to coach Scotland. This is for my family.”
Scotland made a strong start, taking a 40-28 lead into half-time but a disastrous six-point third quarter brought things level.
They dug deep though and led by veteran guard Gareth Murray’s 17 points pulled off the win.
Scottish Rocks star Jonny Bunyan, whose brother Keith played in the 2006 Games in Melbourne, said: “That was just amazing. One of the best victories for Scotland in basketball history.
“We just had to keep going and now we’re going to the Gold Coast for the semis.”
And teenage guard Kyle Jimenez insisted they weren’t finished yet. He said: “We’ve proved everyone wrong.
“Our aim is a medal. We’ve said that from the start and got to this point now – semifinal here we come.
“We’ve got loads of fans here and the support from home has been amazing.”
Scotland captain Kieron Achara said: “This is a surreal kind of feeling, one that was definitely worth the wait.
“This was our goal and we believed it – but to execute it is a totally different thing. It is a phenomenal achievement.”