Myerscough topple Tyne Met in EABL clash

Myerscough College improved to 2-1 in the highly competitive North Sea conference (EABL) on Wednesday, handing league leaders Tyne Met their first home loss of the season in the process. It was Myerscough's second trip to Newcastle in as many weeks; they suffered a painful 15 point loss to Tyne Met in the second round of the BCS Cup last week.

A closely contested first half saw the two teams tied 43-43 at half time and just two points separated them heading into the final period. The visitors came out on top after a low scoring fourth quarter, winning 72-67. Myerscough's victory was thanks in large part to a dominant rebounding display, they pulled down 43 rebounds in the game, 13 of which were offensive. They shot with impressive efficiency, connecting on 51% of their field goal attempts. Myerscough displayed their strength in depth with four players scoring in double figures and five players pulling down 5 or more rebounds.

Stand out performers for Myerscough were Andre Gayle (18 points, 8 rebounds), Emmanuel Kabengele (10 points, 8 rebounds) Chris Bwana (11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals), Montel Dennis (8 points, 9 rebounds) and Trevor Samuel (12 points and 4 rebounds).  Big man Connor Tuxford pulled down 5 offensive rebounds whilst Will Shaw provided a valuable spark off the bench, knocking down two three pointers.

Myerscough College Basketball Academy

Tyne Met's Eddie Matthew displayed his outside shooting touch, hitting five three pointers and totalling 25 points. Myerscough prevented two of Tyne Met's primary scorers from having any real impact on the game. Danny Horta and Alan Sasor, who rank amongst the EABL's leading three point shooters, struggled to cope with defensive pressure from Myerscough. Horta (who averaged 24ppg prior to Wednesday) scored 11 and Sasor was rendered scoreless.


Myerscough Head Coach Neal Hopkins was delighted with his team's victory, he commented; "I'm really happy with the guys, I can't see many team winning at Tyne Met - we had a game plan and it was stuck to. I have to praise the players for their maturity in this win, there will always be ways in which we
can improve but today was a big step forward for us, it was great to see such a team effort"

Myerscough will not play another EABL game until the new year following the cancellation of next weeks game against Priestley. Academy players will be training hard up until the Christmas break next week in preparation for January's game against Loreto College.

Report by Ed McNally