Basketball: still a lot to play foracidpix

The Blues had their first match of the term at home to high-flying Northampton, currently second in the BUCS Midlands 1A Division. Despite not having played a competitive game for seven weeks, Cambridge started the game hot, with American imports Jack Clearman and Nick Prus hitting three-pointers early in the first quarter. Northampton were able to keep up, however, with an athletic number eleven causing problems for the Blues’ defence. Clearman and Prus continued to score freely, finishing the game with seventeen and nineteen points respectively, and a frenetic first period ended 24-22 to Cambridge.

The second quarter did not go so well for the home team, as the offense stagnated and only six more points were added before half time. Northampton, on the other hand, were able to get into a good rhythm, and once again scored twenty-two points in the quarter, with an impressively balanced attack coming from inside and out. The intermission did nothing to help Cambridge stem the flow of Northampton scoring, as the opposition began to knock down multiple three-pointers. This, combined with strong defensive pressure forcing the Blues into several turnovers, effectively ended hopes of a comeback.

A more consistent effort in the fourth quarter, including a 16-10 run to end the game, meant the deficit was reduced slightly, but the match ended 84-56 to Northampton. Cambridge clearly missed their injured star player, Luka Skoric, and will need to provide a better all-round performance away in Nottingham next Wednesday to move up the BUCS standings, with third place in the division still a realistic target.

The Light Blues have also reached the last sixteen of the BUCS Basketbal Men's Trophy.