Improved display from the Sharks but London prevail

Sunday 11th February 2024

British Basketball League Regular Season

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 79 London Lions 89

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks put up a very plucky display against the London Lions but unfortunately succumbed to the depth of the Lions roster. The Sharks made it a single possession game at the start of the fourth quarter but 13 points in the stanza from London bench man Conor Morgan took the Lions to a ten point victory. Devearl Ramsey, who inspired a high tempo from the Sharks, secured the MVP award ahead of a visit to resurgent Leicester Riders next Friday.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Ramsey, Eytle-Rock, Green, Ratinho, Koch.

Lions: Olaseni, Nelson, Phillip, M Morgan, Grantham.

Key Moments

London ominously went out to a 0-7 lead but the Sharks, playing at a notably higher-tempo, remained in touch on Devearl Ramsey’s and-one play at 7-11. A long two from Rodney Glasgow Jr levelled matters and the same player gave the Sharks their first lead at 15-14. Jordan Taylor gave London a single point lead but it couldn’t detract from a promising start by the Sharks.

Glasgow’s shooting touch continued with a corner three and a quality off-balance finish restored the Sharks lead at 24-22. The depth of London’s roster came to bear as GB centre Gabe Olaseni returned to the court to pour in 8 points and when he sat, fellow GB star Josh Sharma entered to add 9 of his own. A Devearl Ramsey trey ended the half as the Lions lead of fifteen was cut to 35-47 by the interval.

The Sharks re-energised for a 25-18 third period. Jordan Ratinho kicked things off with a three ball and when Rodney Glasgow got out in transition to make another, the difference narrowed at 47-54. The momentum took the Sharks as Jalon Pipkins nailed a dagger three and Kipper Nichols followed suit at 55-61. The buzzer signalled another momentous moment – Ramsey using his pace to get beyond half-court before launching up a shot that sailed through the net as the quarter concluded at 60-65.

A Kipper Nichols jump shot made it a single possession game at the start of the final stanza but the Lions depth came to pass once again. Five points from Conor Morgan extended the gap as the Sharks replied with back to back threes from RJ Eytle-Rock and Kipper Nichols. Morgan sealed the win for the Lions as the Sharks went into the bonus. Two triples plus a pair from the line by the power forward took him to 20 points personally and London to an overall 79-89 victory.

MVP

Back to back games against the runaway leaders were a big ask for the Sharks but they acquitted themselves well in the Sunday afternoon outing. RJ Eytle-Rock signalled a return to full form and fitness with 11 points in the fourth quarter that also included 4 rebounds and 5 assists in a very pleasing display. Rodney Glasgow Jr stepped off the bench with some inspirational shooting. He completed five of his nine shots to end with 12 points, a rebound and 3 assists to spark his team. Also going five of nine from the field was MVP Devearl Ramsey. He made one more point than Glasgow but also contributed 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal, setting a good pace for the team and making that thrilling third quarter buzzer-beater.

Next game

Leicester Riders v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday February 16th 2024, Mattioli Arena, 7.45pm Tip Off.

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Adam Bates