Sharks edged out in low scoring Bristol encounter

Friday 6th October 2023

British Basketball League Regular Season

Bristol Flyers 67 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 65

A typically scrappy and low-scoring affair played out in Bristol but unfortunately it was the hometown Flyers who claimed a narrow 67-65 victory. The South West outfit led by as many as 12 at one stage but as the Sharks fought back to a single possession game in the dying embers, they were unable to force overtime. Next up for the Sharks, who go to a 2-3 record as a result, is their historic homecoming to the new Canon Medical Arena on Sunday.

Starting Fives

Flyers: Lucas, Olison, Johnson, Graham-Bell, Greene.

Sharks: Ramsey, Pipkins, Ratinho, Koch, Stewart.

Key Moments

A solid defensive effort saw the Sharks control the tempo and take an early 4-7 lead on Jalon Pipkins and-one play. A 9-2 run to the end of the quarter allowed Bristol to take the lead however. Former Shark Leslee Smith put the Flyers back in front and it was his and Rowell Graham-Bell’s efforts from the line that gave Bristol a 13-9 advantage.

The run became 12-2 across the periods as Raphell Thomas-Edwards connected on a corner three and four Brad Greene points extended the home side’s lead to 20-13. The Sharks found greater success from beyond the perimeter than from inside and consecutive triples from Parker Stewart, Jordan Ratinho and Jalon Pipkins kept the South Yorkshire side in touch at 28-25. Kedrian Johnson replied in kind and it was Flyers skipper Thomas-Edwards who closed the half with the board reading 33-27.

Jordan Ratinho went a perfect three of three from distance to make it 38-35 before RJ Eytle Rock took over as the Sharks went ahead by 40-41 deep in the third stanza. Four Thomas-Edwards points reversed the fortunes once more but with Devearl Ramsey’s stepback buzzer beater, the game was still anyone’s at 46-43 going into the final ten minutes.

It remained that way until midway in the final quarter. Johnson’s drive into the paint opened up a six point gap at 59-53 and that became seven on Tevin Olison’s three at 62-55. RJ Eytle Rock blew Bristol’s surge out of the water. His three point shots made it 62-60 and then 66-65 with 47 seconds to play. Greene made a single free throw as the clock wound down but Pipkins attempts to force overtime were unsuccessful, allowing Bristol to take a 67-65 success.

MVP

With the ball being turned over regularly and the Sharks only shooting 32% from inside, it was a tough night at a venue that usually produces low-scoring encounters. Jalon Pipkins led the Sharks scoring with 13 points, 5 assists and 4 steals and 4 out of 5 successful triples kept the Sharks in touch from RJ Eytle Rock, who finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds and an assist. The Sharks were positive seven however while Jordan Ratinho was on court. He was successful on all three of his shots from beyond the arc as he finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and a steal to take the MVP award in a game of fine margins.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Newcastle Eagles, Sunday October 8th 2023, Canon Medical Arena, 3.00pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates