Press Release - 09th March 2014
|
Bradford Dragons have taken their season record to 15 wins 7 losses with an accomplished win at home against Team Northumbria on Saturday.
Dragons now have four wins in a row and a fully healthy squad heading into the final games of the regular season and the play-offs in April. Bradford sit in joint third position, their previous high finish in the English Basketball Division one is sixth. A top eight finish will see them into the play-offs and a top four place will see them matched up at home in the first round of the post-season. Bradford recently welcomed back their talisman - American centre Chris McGrew. He instantly proved his importance ripping down rebounds, drawing fouls and scoring his free throws as Bradford set the early tone. Northumbria remained competitive throughout the latter stages of the first quarter as it finished 22-21 to Bradford. |
|
|
The lead shifted between the two sides during the second quarter with the Dragons finding it hard to pull away. Both Jack Thompson and Matthew Martin were scoring well for Northumbria.
The first half ended 40-37 to the home side, Dragons chairman commented “we can’t get control of the game, I think we’ll be in for an exciting second half” Bradford began the second half in decisive fashion none more so than Guard Jermayne Laing. A 9-2 run followed, born from determined pressure, marking and fast breaking. Northumbria were forced into a time out but Dragons’ defence continued to deny them any success and the third quarter concluded 60-49. Dragons had the game everything but tied up in the fourth quarter as they pulled to a 72-55 lead with five minutes to go. A relentless Team Northumbria had other ideas after sequences of fortune and a four point play by Jack Thompson the lead was slashed to just five - 74-69 with just one minute to play. |
Bradford Dragons remained professional and saw out the victory 78-71 the final score.
Carl Pearson and Jack Thompson scored joint game highs in points for the Dragons and Northumbria respectively, Chris McGrew contributed with 17 points.
Dragons shooting guard and Bradford local Jermayne Laing spoke after the game “It was an important win, hopefully we can win our last few matches, they're vital. Then we can go into the play-offs in a good position and in good form”
Elsewhere for Dragons: Dragons U15 and unbeaten Dragons U13 are already in the play offs. Dragons U14 went down heavily to unbeaten Manchester Magic at home 56-100 but then won at Oldham Titans 87-63 and now lie in clear second position in the EBL U14 north division behind unbeaten Manchester Magic.
Dragons last regular season home is the EBL division 1 game against table topping Hemel Storm on Saturday 29th March, tip off 6.15pm in the Dragons Den in the sports hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE. Dragons have never beaten Hemel in four years of EBL competition.
Admission is £5 for adults, £2.50 for under 18s, students, concessions etc and £10 for a family ticket [2 adults + 2 children]
Carl Pearson and Jack Thompson scored joint game highs in points for the Dragons and Northumbria respectively, Chris McGrew contributed with 17 points.
Dragons shooting guard and Bradford local Jermayne Laing spoke after the game “It was an important win, hopefully we can win our last few matches, they're vital. Then we can go into the play-offs in a good position and in good form”
Elsewhere for Dragons: Dragons U15 and unbeaten Dragons U13 are already in the play offs. Dragons U14 went down heavily to unbeaten Manchester Magic at home 56-100 but then won at Oldham Titans 87-63 and now lie in clear second position in the EBL U14 north division behind unbeaten Manchester Magic.
Dragons last regular season home is the EBL division 1 game against table topping Hemel Storm on Saturday 29th March, tip off 6.15pm in the Dragons Den in the sports hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE. Dragons have never beaten Hemel in four years of EBL competition.
Admission is £5 for adults, £2.50 for under 18s, students, concessions etc and £10 for a family ticket [2 adults + 2 children]
