Game Report: Plymouth City Patriots 63-65 Surrey Scorchers

In a nailbiter between two teams just outside the British Basketball League playoff spots, the Surrey Scorchers came away with a hard-earned win away at the Plymouth City Patriots 63-65.

With this win, the Scorchers move into the playoff spots and improve to a record of 5-11, while the Patriots fall to 2-14.

Starting Five:

Plymouth City Patriots starting five: Jacob Wiley, Spencer Levi, Taylor Johnson, Elvisi Dusha, Tj Atwood

Surrey Scorchers starting five: Abdul Mohamed, Saiquan Jamison, Padiet Wang, Josh Steel, Justin Robinson

First Half:

The game started with the defences firmly on top, as it took two-and-a-half minutes before the first points were scored. 

As the first quarter progressed, the two offences seemed to be settling in, with Surrey keeping a slim lead.

In the final three minutes, the Patriots took their first lead of the game (10-9), after Tyrell Green made both of his free throws.

The hosts continued scoring, going on a 12-0 run and went up by as many as six points (15-9), after Green drained a triple.

The two sides then proceeded to exchange baskets, with the first quarter ending 19-16.

The second quarter had the two teams neck and neck, with Plymouth unable to take a lead larger than seven points, while Surrey couldn’t close the gap to less than two.

The hosts had their largest lead of the game (28-21) with six minutes left to play when Green converted from downtown once again. 

They went up by seven twice more, first at 31-24 when Joe Hart scored from beyond the arc and then at 35-28 when Spencer Levi laid the ball in.

Both times however, the Scorchers managed to fight back and didn’t allow their opponents to pull away, going into the break down five (35-30).

Second Half:

The third quarter saw a reversal of fortunes, with Surrey managing to turn the game on its head and take their first lead (41-43) since the first quarter when Padiet Wang converted both of his free throws.

That was followed by a 10-0 run that saw the visitors get a nine-point lead (44-53).

A layup by Levi brought the hosts to within seven (46-53), going into the final 10 minutes. 

The fourth quarter saw Plymouth give it their all to decrease the deficit, making it a one-possession game (57-60) with just over three minutes left to play when Taylor Johnson hit one out of two free throws.

The next two minutes were scoreless as both defences proved effective in restricting their opponents.

The Patriots got even closer, closing the gap to one (59-60), after Johnson scored both of his free throws this time.

Despite having two opportunities to take the lead in the final minute, the home side were unable to capitalise, and Abdul Mohamed provided the game’s highlight, putting a dagger into the heart of the Plymouth fans. 

The Canadian forward jumped up high on the fast break and dunked with authority following an alley-oop pass by Padiet Wang, after Justin Robinson had picked Elvisi Dusha’s pocket. 

The Patriots had the chance to tie the game once more, but Green missed the three and Wang converted one of his two free throws, making it a two-possession game (59-63).

Plymouth were unable to come back from that and Surrey walked away with a hard-fought two-point win 63-65.

Player of the Game:

Tonight’s Player of the Game was Andrew Lawrence. The Surrey Scorchers guard came off the bench and in 24 minutes of action scored 13 points and dished out three assists.