Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
BASKETBALL: strong start HELPS PROPEL CRUSADERS to VICTORY
Following victories over Thanet Lions and Herne Bay, Crusaders continued their Grove Cup play-off series with a 21-point win over Christ Church University.
Playing on their new home court at Canterbury College, Crusaders got off to a great start with a 9 - 0 run with baskets from Emma Loane, Benita Palmer and Millie Hammond.
Niamh Mooney opened the students’ scoring but Crusaders were quick on the break with Takako Watters running the plays. Sonya Hood and Lisa Martin scored from the wing, while Watters herself also knocked down back-to-back baskets which saw Crusaders take a 17- 4 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Christ Church took first blood in the second quarter but Crusaders immediately went on a 12-point unanswered streak that opened up a 23-point lead.
Loane drove through the heart of the students’ zone defence and Effy Panayiotou got under the boards and put back the rebounds. A Hood jump shot made it 31-10 and although Mooney sunk her last-minute shot, Christ Church still trailed 31-12 at half-time.
Crusaders’ defence held strong in the third quarter and Christ Church were kept to a single basket, scored again by Mooney. At the other end, Crusaders racked up another 13 points with Loane taking her tally to 13, while Palmer chipped in with two from the top of the key.
Game MVP Watters finished her fine display with two under the hoop to put Crusaders 30 points up with a quarter to go.
Molly Davis drove powerfully to the hoop to open Crusaders’ account in the final quarter but surprisingly it was to be the only score for the home side in the remainder of the game.
Christ Church went on a 11-point spree with Anna Mckenna, Grace Stanton and Sophie Shemming getting on the scoreboard. Mooney ended up as the game’s top scorer with 20 points but it was not to be enough as Crusaders held out to win 46-25.
Crusaders were due to face their old rivals from the University of Kent in the next round today (Thursday) at Canterbury College and they are hoping top scorer Danielle Muckian returns in what promises to be a tough game. Crusaders: Panayiotou( 5),Loane(13),hood(4),palmer( 8),Thomas,moseley,martin( 2),Davies( 2),Watters( 8),Hammond( 2).