Glasgow rivals put up quite a fight ... but Buddies battled back
Craig Ritchie St Mirren senior men continued their rich vein of form as a thumping win over Glasgow Storm put them on the verge of the title.
The Paisley side were looking for a repeat of last week’s super Sunday winning performance against Edinburgh.
Wi t h i n juries and unavailability finally overcome for the first time since September, Saints put out a full team to face Glasgow Storm with the stage set for a convincing championship performance.
The ominous loss of the jump ball set the standard early on as Saints failed to gain any rhythm as a team.
Nick Collins found the basket five times in the period, mainly from broken play and second chance shots.
Chris Cleary hit a threepointer to get on the scoresheet, with Chris Barron and Euan Glass rounding out the quarter with a 17 point total.
At two minutes left in the quarter Saints did hold a seven-point lead and looked to improve it, but to no avail as the Storm hung on at 1714.
Hopeful of finding a good performance in the next period, the Saints coaches ran through the bench seeking the magic of one week before.
Early three-pointers from Graham Hunter and Barron were matched by Storm and only some late scores from Cleary and Collins improved Saints’ prospects of finally taking control.
Another ordinary quarter at 16- 10 had the visitors believing they could get something from the match.
A half time scoreline of 33- 24 was not expected and the players were left in no doubt that they must do better in the second half.
The third period did bring a little bit of life and energy to the game as Saints upped the tempo in a bid to shake off the persistent Storm.
Six different Saints on the scoresheet and a good bit more energy put 19 points on the board, but the enthusiasm on the offensive end let the defence down, as the visitors tucked in with 17 points, still looking for a final quarter opportunity.
The score was set at 52-41 going into the final period and all still to play for.
Saints, who were still pushing players off the bench and trying to inject some pace into the game, had their best period as they added another 23 points to the score.
Storm, trying to the last, could only manage 16 points for the loss at 75-57.
Saints’ top scorers on the night were Cleary with 22, Collins on 18 and Fergus Harte with 10 points.
Saints remain one victory away from their first league title in 18 years.