20th January 2008 BiG Storage Cheshire Jets 87-74 Kularoos Plymouth Raiders

BBL Trophy, Group Stages

Game details:-

Venue: Northgate Arena

Competition:- BBL Tropy, Group Stages

Tip-off:- 5.30pm

Quarterscores:- 18-13, 42-26, 61-45

Overtime periods:-

Final result:- 87-74

Officials:- Paul Walton, Simon Unsworth, Steve Ferris

Top Scorers:

Jets: Obazuaye 43, Myers 21, Costantiello 8

Raiders: Beasley 23, Lasker 16, Noel 10

vs.

The BiG Storage Cheshire Jets, who won the BBL Trophy on four consecutive occasions between 2001-2004, threw group one wide open with an 87-74 defeat of the reigning champions, the Kularoos Plymouth Raiders, at the Northgate Arena.

Jayson Obazuaye had an amazing night as his huge 43 points inspired the Jets to victory; Shawn Myers supported him with 21. DeAntoine Beasley led the Raiders with 23.

The visitors held an early lead at 10-13 before Obazuaye turned in one of the best spells of individual play seen in the BBL. He sank the last eight points of the first quarter, followed by the first six for his team in the second stanza to propel the Jets into a 24-15 lead. Shortly afterwards the Raiders hit back with 7 straight points, but the hosts closed the first half with a 12-2 surge, including 6 for Obazuaye and 6 for Gianni Costantiello, to lead 42-26. Obazuaye had 16 second quarter points, and was on 26 in total by that point.

Beasley opened the scoring in the third, on his way to 8 points in the period, but Obazuaye hit the next two baskets and the Raiders could not close the gap.

Plymouth pressed for the entirety of the final period, but 10 points from Drew Lasker and two three-pointers from Gavin Love were not enough despite their winning the stanza by 29-26.

This group now goes down to the wire as the Marshall MK Lions and BiG Storage Cheshire Jets each face the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders next week. A win for the Lions will see them through to the semi-finals regardless of what happens elsewhere courtesy of having the head-to-heads over both the Raiders and the Jets; if the Lions lose, and the Jets beat Leicester, then the Jets progress as group-winners courtesy of having taken the head-to-head over Plymouth.

The draw for the BBL Trophy semi-finals, taking place at Ponds Forge ISC on Saturday 2nd February, will be made on Monday.

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