Last-gasp Arrows win another cliffhanger thriller

Killamarsh Linbraze Arrows' Joseph Baugh.

Cliffhanger finishes have become a trademark this season for coach Jonny Kelly and his side.

This time there was just one point between the sides with just 11 seconds remaining when Liverpool were awarded two foul shots to take the lead.

Fortunately for Arrows both were missed and Denis Scott took a rebound before icing the game from the foul line for a third consecutive away win, in which all 10 players scored.

Kelly said: “We got the two points we went to Liverpool to get. It wasn’t a pretty or dazzling performance, but it was enough to win.

“We need to concentrate on improving our performance each week and we look forward to the (next) tough test against London Pioneers.”

It had seemed more straight forward at the interval as Arrows quietened the home crowd by leading 47-34 .

The first quarter began slowly for the visitors before eight points from James Kelly and 10 points from Joseph Baugh catapulted them into the lead, closing out the quarter 26-19.

Jonny Broodie and Aaron Moseley were prominent in the second quarter as Arrows displayed their quality in depth to take control.

There were good baskets for Heymann and Nembhard as the lead was stretched by the halfway point.

However, Arrows struggled in the second half, which began with a number of failed three-point attempts.

It needed successful free throw attempts to keep the scoreboard moving.

However, the third quarter and momentum was lost 20-13 and Liverpool were back in the game at 54-60.

The hosts surged forward in the final sessions and four consecutive three-point baskets took Liverpool into a two-point lead inside the final three minutes.

It took a three-pointer and basket from Andreas Lycoudis to edge the Arrows back in front.

Joseph Baugh added another basket before the frantic finish.

Scorers: Baugh 22, Broodie 11, Kelly 8, Lycoudis 7, Moseley 7, Scott 5, Nembhard 4, Parker 4, Heymann 3, and Wilson 2

The victory saw fifth-placed Arrows consolidate their position as contenders.

This Sunday Arrows face the powerful London Pioneers at Dronfield Sports Centre at 3pm in a double header that features leading women’s team Derbyshire Gems, who play Nottingham University at 5.30pm.