26th April, 2008 Kularoos Plymouth Raiders 91-73 Sheffield Sharks

BBL Championship Playoff Match Preview

Game details:-

Venue: Plymouth Pavilions

Competition:- BBL Championship Playoff Quarter-Final

Tip-off:- 7.30pm

Quarterscores:- 23-16, 45-38, 64-54

Overtime periods:-

Final result:- 91-73

Officials:- Dale Aitcheson, Roger Harrison, Simon Unsworth

Top Scorers:

Raiders: Beasley 26, Lasker 22, Moore 18

Sharks: Whyte 16, Chaney 14, Ant. Virgil 12

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The Kularoos Plymouth Raiders have made it to the BBL Finals Weekend for the first time in their history after overcoming the Sheffield Sharks 91-73 at Plymouth Pavilions.

It is the first time in eight years that the Sharks have not featured in the final four of the BBL Championship Playoffs.

The first three playoff games have gone according to form as sides from the top four have progressed on each occasion. In this game, the Raiders beat the Sharks for the third time this season and ensured that they go into Finals Weekend with momentum after notching their third straight win.

DeAntoine Beasley returned from a shoulder injury to lead the way with 26 points, supported by 22 from Drew Lasker and 18 from Gaylon Moore. James Whyte led the resistance with 16 points.

There was a tight start to the contest as the teams who finished third and sixth in the BBL Championship traded blows; a James Whyte triple saw the game tied at 9-9 in the first quarter. The Raiders then posted the first run of the game as Drew Lasker triples started and finished a 14-4 burst that saw them leading 23-13 late in the first.

The Raiders continued in the same vein in the second stanza as a 12-5 opening made it 35-21, and tempers were flaring amongst the Sharks as Atiba Lyons was called for a technical foul. However, Sheffield composed themselves and notched a 12-5 push to narrow the deficit to 45-38 at half time.

The visitors then held their hosts scoreless for the opening 2:45 of the third quarter as the score became 45-40. From there the Raiders scored the next 7 points, including a triple from DeAntoine Beasley who was returning from an injury suffered against the Sharks some weeks ago. The Raiders led 52-40 and kept it in double-figures for the remainder of the game.

When 'The Greens' opened the decisive quarter with an 8-0 burst, capped by a triple from Allister Gall, they led 72-54 and would not allow the Sharks to get much closer. Sheffield hit a series of three-pointers late in the game but the Raiders maintained their poise from the free-throw line to book their place at the biggest event in British basketball.

Tickets for the BBL Finals Weekend are available by calling The Ticket Factory on 0870 909 4144 or going online at www.theticketfactory.com

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