Brixton Topcats 60, Ipswich Hoops 77
Brixton Topcats lost 77-60 against Ipswich Hoops at the Brixton Rec Ruffhouse on Sunday afternoon in an EBL Division 2 match. The home team had a howler of a first half, but managed to draw the scoreboard level in the third quarter, before Ipswich pressed for the game win.
The Hoops benefitted from fast hands in the first quarter. It’s a basketball cliche, but you move the ball at pace around the court and keep possession. The Topcats appeared to still be in warm up mode.
They chased the game right from the buzzer, never looking comfortable on the Ruffhouse home court, and with a lively crowd backing the Brixton team as well. Ipswich took a 15-9 lead into the first buzzer.
There was the danger of the Hoops running away with the game as early as the start of the second quarter. The game plan from the Topcats appeared to be to play a physical game. It was a strong showing, but the referee was rather fond of blowing her whistle.
Some confusion followed midway in the 2nd quarter with four free shots being awarded to the Hoops. Time for a time uut from Topcats’ Coach Barker, time for a Ruffhouse re-think.
A full court press was the response. Some vocal home bench support kept the players focussed as they tested the fitness of the away team. The letter of the law refereeing continued, but Topcats managed to bring it back to a 38-35 ball game in favour of the Hoops come the HT buzzer.
The task for the Topcats after the restart was to go ahead in the game for the first time. They made hard work of it by trying to dominate from under the basket. Ipswich were physically strong, beating Brixton to the rebounds at every opportunity.
But somehow the Topcats managed to set up a 48-48 ball game after the Ipswich slowed down the pace. A late burst before the buzzer led the visitors to take a 50-48 lead going into the final quarter of the ball game.
Ipswich took to the Brixton Rec court fired up for the start of the fourth quarter. Topcats seemed stuck on 48 points, whilst the away team continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The final seven minutes were played out at a tremendous pace by both teams. A slam dunk from the Topcats, followed by a showboating hoop swing closed the gap to 3 points, as well as firing up the home bench and Ruffhouse crowd.
A series of cheap fouls in the final three minutes however became costly for Brixton. A big three pointer on the final buzzer gave Ipswich Hoops a well deserved 77-60 away victory at the Ruffhouse.