Leeds Carnegie Basketball

Match Report
Bradford Dragons v Leeds Carnegie // 4th February 2012

Leeds Carnegie avenged their two overtime loses in the National Trophy and the regular season, with a victory by 9 points in regular time over local rivals Bradford Dragons in Bradford. The game would live up to the hype of the previous encounters, with twenty four lead changes with the game being tied thirteen times throughout the game Final score 75-66.

With Carnegie looking to kick start a winning run after two tough losses since Christmas, they knew it would always be tough against a strong Bradford team sitting in fourth position of EBL Division One. However they would keep their composure to close out the game on a 16-7 run in the last five minutes of play.

The first quarter would be closely fought. With both teams playing tough defence, neither team could find an offensive rhythm and the game would be tied at 8 after five minutes. The second half of the quarter saw Bradford get going a little on offence, with former Carnegie player Scott shooting the ball well, however Ajumobi and Houghton would keep Carnegie in contention and the quarter ended 21-15 in favour of Bradford.

Dragons could find no answer for Ajumobi, in the first half alone he would score four 3 point plays on his way to a season high 31 points. Along with Hungarian guard Gyorgy Polya hitting two 3 pointers, Carnegie would lead 38-34 at the half.

For most of the second half, despite Leeds looking in control for most parts would see Dragons continually fight back. After Carnegie made it a six point lead at the end of the third quarter and then opened up the fourth with another 3 points. Bradford were looking down and out, but then would pull of a 9-0 run of their own to level the game going into the final five minutes of play.

It would then be Houghton’s time to shine, with a 3 pointer to put the team up by three 62-59. Then after both teams would exchange blows, keeping the game close. Ajumobi would pound the ball inside and score yet another 3 point play. Then after some solid ball movement, the ball would end up in Houghton’s hands in the corner for another 3 pointer on a perfect shooting night from the field (5 from 5). Dragons would struggle to hit free throws and Carnegie closed out the game.

Top Scorers

Leeds Carnegie

David Ajumobi – 31 Points, 12 Rebounds

Josh Houghton – 17 Points., 3 Assists

Gyorgy Polya – 9 Points

Bradford Dragons

Rihard Sulcs – 22 Points, 10 Rebounds

Robert Edmunds – 16 Points, 6 Rebounds, 5 Assists

Denis Scott – 12 Points, 8 Rebounds