Great Scott! Arrows swoop in dying seconds to pinch victory

Hero Denis Scott delivered a three-point basket with just three seconds remaining to grab a dramatic victory for Derbyshire Arrows at London Westside in Division Two of the National Men's Basketball league.

Arrows were trailing 51-49 when Scott struck and, remarkably, his basket was the only time in the game they led, capping a surge in the final quarter, which they won 21-5.

The win preserved their unbeaten run on the road so far, with this being their fourth consecutive away success, all of which have been close shaves and achieved by an amazingly small combined total of only ten points!

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The match was an unusually defensive encounter with Arrows unable to find their usual freescoring form. In the first quarter, they trailed 16-11 after only birthday boy Joseph Baugh had been able to find more than a single basket.

This trend continued into the second quarter when, despite a further seven points from Baugh, Arrows reached the interval trailing 32–23.

The Derbyshire outfit attempted to re-group, but nothing really changed in the third quarter with shots rimming out. A brace of baskets apiece for John Broodie and Scott could not prevent Arrows suffering another quarter reverse to trail overall at 31 – 47.

Aaron Moseley hit a three-pointer to close out the third quarter and restore some momentum and belief in the side. And it all came right in the final quarter when, suddenly, they found the intensity they had been lacking and the kind of spirit that had seen them record other tight victories this season.

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Moseley added a further basket and another three-pointer as Arrows closed to 49-45 with five minutes to go. Westside did finally breach Arrows’ defence to go ahead 51-45 but when Baugh hit consecutive baskets, the visitors were within touching distance entering the last few seconds.

Coach Jonny Kelly drew up a play, which Westside cut off. But Luke Parker, playing his best game as an Arrow, found Scott in the corner and he hit the long three-pointer to pull the match out of the fire. The home side did manage to get a shot off in reply, but they had let the game slip at the death.

Baugh finished with 15 points, Moseley 12, Broodie and Parker eight apiece and Scott seven.

The victory left Arrows fifth in the 12-team table, only four points behind leaders Kent Crusaders, who share top spot with three other sides, Team Newcastle University, Thames Valley Crusaders and London Greenshouse Pioneers. Their next game is at home to Newham Neptunes this coming Saturday (6.30 pm).

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