Report: Bristol Flyers 74 -85 Surrey Scorchers

Saturday, March 25th 2017

Bristol Flyers fourth quarter comeback fell short as they failed to beat the visiting Surrey Scorchers, losing to the visitors 74-85.

Despite Hameed Ali coming off the bench for 20 points and 10 assists Flyers couldn't secure the victory and were unable to strengthen their potential play-off position.

What Happened?

The visitors started the game in dominant fashion going on an 11-0 run and shooting just under 50% for the first period.

Surrey achieved this by working the ball around the perimeter and finding the open man. Tayo Ogedengbe opened the scoring with a three-pointer followed by a converted And-1 from Quincy Taylor.

As Scorchers' offence was clicking, Flyers couldn't find the basket. The home squad failed to get on the scoreboard until mid-way through the first, when Leslee Smith was fouled and sent to the free-throw line. Flyers were also struggling on the defensive end, racking up five fouls in the first six minutes.

Despite a quick four points from Mike Vigor, Flyers were still down by double digits in the first. Their offensive woes continued as they shot a meagre 15% from the field for the quarter. Surrey looked to raise they game even higher, as Taylor hit a step back long two-pointer to boost their lead to 14.

Flyers countered as Ali was fouled at the three-point line and he converted all three free throws to keep Bristol in the game. Ali then fired a cross court pass to an open Aaron Cosby who drilled the shot from behind the arc, Flyers trailed 13-24 going into the second.

Surrey stole the ball on the opening possession of the second and looked for the fastbreak lay-up but the attempt was swatted away by Daniel Edozie. Inspired by the big man's defensive play, Ali and Cosby scored back to back three-pointers.

Vigor then found Brandon Boggs on a back door cut who was fouled on a baseline slam-dunk.

Bristol experienced a short stint of success offensively in the second quarter but Scorchers defended viciously, as Michael Ocherepbia recorded a huge block shot to protect their precious lead. On the other end, Flyers switched off defensively and Scorchers' Gabriel McCray drove down the lane for a fierce one-handed dunk.

In a frustrating half, Bristol matched Surrey in every category aside shooting as the home team went 8-44 from the field . In the final possession of the half McGray was fouled in the act of shooting and converted on all three of his free throw attempts. The visitors took a commanding 19 point lead into the half-time break.

Ali took the ball up court and ran a quick pick and roll with Smith who dunked the ball to begin the third quarter. Recognising their inability to find the basket from long range, Flyers looked to drive the ball for high percentage shots. Though even when they got into the paint they failed to convert. Surrey took advantage of this and got out in transition to secure a 20 point lead.

In the final moments of the third Bristol put up a late charge to try and close the gap. A stretch that saw Greg Streete pick up point guard duties, Edozie record four quick points and Ali connect with Boggs for an alley-oop dunk.

Bristol were faced with a 16 point deficit at the start of the final quarter. Flyers scored back to back three pointers from Cosby and Edozie respectively.

Ali then took the ball right at the Scorchers' defence, was fouled and converted at the line to bring the game within ten points.

The assault continued as Ali rose up for his trademark transition three-pointer - nothing but net. The SGS arena exploded,

Surrey's lead was down to just six points. Flyers then stepped it up defensively, as Ali read the passing lane and snatched the ball for the fastbreak lay-up.

With Bristol poised to steal the game Surrey's Taylor made a tough contested jump-shot to close the door on Flyers' comeback and effectively end the game.