USA Select clinical versus Spinners
September 9th 2016
There were signs in the third quarter – but the Lancashire Spinners couldn’t overcome a slow start against USA Select, falling 85-64 in the Annual SuperJosh Charity game at Castle Leisure Centre on Friday.
“We understood the occasion,” said head coach Neal Hopkins. “And that was always going to be more important than the result. But we will keep building on tonight and if we can add to that one solid quarter on Monday [against Cheshire] I’ll be happy with where we are.”
It was the second-ever meeting between the Spinners and USA Select with the former having won a narrow contest during last season’s charity event.
Connor Murtagh had a team-high 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, and was just one of two Spinners to reach double-figures scoring. Point guard Jack Hudson finished with 10, including three 3-pointers, but he also had seven turnovers.
The Spinners — playing their first game of the 2016-17 pre-season — held a narrow 5-4 lead following Hudson’s 3-pointer midway through the opening quarter. But a quick 5-0 burst propelled USA Select back in front and they never trailed again with the Spinners down 23-13 after 10 minutes.
USA Select carried a 46-26 advantaged into halftime before a spry third quarter from helped the Spinners battled back.
“We figured out as a team where we were struggling, locked in and played a great quarter of basketball,” said guard David Walsh, who was making his Spinners debut. “The first half was nerves more than anything, but it was great to gain experience against a well-drilled team.”
The hosts, who outscored the visitors 26-17 in the third quarter, turned the momentum in their favour early in the second half when Mark Rangeley scooped in a layup with 6:48 on the clock.
Lancashire then rattled off an 11-2 run over two-and-a-half minute stretch to climb within nine points.
Though still trailing 63-52 heading into the final period, the Spinners’ shooting struggles returned as they were limited to just two points during the first five minutes.
USA Select also had its own share of difficulties finding the basket, but they were able to pour in at least 22 points in three quarters in the win.
The Lancashire Spinners continue its season preparations against the British Basketball League’s Cheshire Phoenix at Myerscough College on Monday, Sept. 12. Entry is £3 with tip-off set for 7:30pm.
PRESS NOTES: Lancashire was just 24-of-71 from the floor … 5-of-30 from 3-point range … But 11-of-16 at the free throw line … The Spinners out rebounded USA Select 45-39 … Ayo Nuwe and David Ulph each had four offensive rebounds … They were two of the four players with six rebounds … Lancashire was 11-of-18 in the third quarter … Zion Tordoff led the team with four assists whilst Aitor Estrada and Hudson each had three.