Report: Bristol Flyers II 76-90 Essex Blades

Flyers fell behind early with Blades making easy scores from dribble penetration early and often. Flyers defence looked porous and uncoordinated in the early going. Blades’ Gray managed 13 points in the first quarter alone. Two early fouls for Flyers shooting guard Mann saw him sit for an extended rest. Flyers were able to find success from drives themselves, in particular with Luparello making a three point play. However, they were unable to match the scoring pace of the visitors falling behind 20-29 after the first period.

Defensive adjustments and refocusing curtailed Blades scoring in the second period. Jack Craggs was able to come up with multiple steals and also found his range; his two made three pointers allowed Flyers to cut the lead to four points with two minutes remaining. A nasty fall for Flyers Rhys Farrell as he contested a shot would see him sidelined for the rest of the game with an ankle sprain. Blades finished out the half strong and took a seven point lead into the changing rooms, 35-42.

Mann checked back into the game with an aggressive approach in the second half, driving to the hoop for multiple lay-ups and converting some spectacular difficult finishes through contact. Flyers again won the quarter but failed to reclaim the lead finishing down six, 56-62.

Flyers defence was again an issue in the final period with the visitors scoring 28 points in the quarter to close out the game. Late heroics from Mann including a pair of difficult three pointers were not enough to keep Flyers in contention without the stops they sorely needed to go alongside the scoring. Blades won the game 76-90.