Game Report: B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 76 – 66 Bristol Flyers

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks needed overtime to overcome the Bristol Flyers 76-66 in Friday’s British Basketball League thriller.

Starting Five:

Braun Sheffield Sharks starting five: Devearl Ramsey, Jalon Pipkins, Kipper Nichols, Jordan Ratinho, Bennett Koch

Bristol Flyers starting five: Corey Samuels, CJ Jackson, Raphell Thomas-Edwards, Rowell Graham-Bell, Brad Greene

First Half:

The Sharks welcomed some familiar faces to the Canon Medical Arena on Friday night. They had met the Bristol Flyers twice in the last month; the spoils were shared, with Sheffield taking the first contest by 10 points, before Bristol exacted revenge in the form of a two-point heartbreaker.

The Flyers entered the game one position ahead of the Sharks in fifth place, with Sheffield having played three games fewer. With both teams capable of earning home-court advantage in the postseason, it was all to play for.

Bristol came out of the blocks convincingly, gaining a five-point lead in the opening three minutes, with forward Brad Greene securing a pair of early baskets. However, the Sharks responded with a three-point barrage, led by Kipper Nichols who spearheaded the Sheffield offence.

At the end of a competitive opening period, the Sharks held a four-point lead.

Bristol then found some assistance from the bench, with Trejon Jacob making an almost immediate impact on the game. The Flyers guard’s heat check earned him 11 points in just 12 minutes.

The teams went blow-for-blow throughout the first half, with Flyers often finding themselves narrowly ahead, but unable to pull away from the home team with any real conviction.

As the teams retreated to the locker rooms, Bristol held the four-point edge.

Second Half:

Whatever Atiba Lyons said at half-time made an impact, as the Sharks returned to the game on a mission. Jalon Pipkins and Bennett Koch combined to earn a slim advantage for their team.

Nichols remained a huge factor for the Sharks, attacking the cup at every opportunity. Mid-way through the third, he drained a three to establish a nine-point Sheffield lead.

The Flyers weren’t ready to stand down; Jacob scored a pair of baskets to cut the lead back down to four heading into the final quarter.

Koch stretched the lead back to five, but Bristol continued to chip away and when Corey Samuels made a lay-up with just under six minutes remaining, the game tied.

The Sharks quickly pushed their way back in front, with Devearl Ramsey scoring a pair of buckets to increase the lead up to nine, including an impressive contested effort from deep.

Bristol just kept coming back. Jacob scored a difficult three to remain in touching distance and Jackson sunk a pair of shots from the stripe to tie the ball game.

At the end of regulation, the teams were tired at 62-62 and the action continued.

Overtime:

At the restart, Jalon Pipkins and Koch sprung into action to regain the lead. From that point, the main test for Sheffield was at the free-throw line.

Bristol couldn’t find the answer on offence during OT, only scoring four during the extra five minutes.

Nichols kept a cool head down the stretch and secure some crucial points at the stripe, to end up winning this exciting contest 76-66.

With the victory, Sheffield snapped a two-game losing streak, returning to winning ways in time to face league-leading London Lions in two days time.

Player of the Game:

Tonight’s Player of the Game was Kipper Nicholls, who scored 20 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists.