Vigor shines on International debut

Gareth Murray of the Glasgow Rocks broke the deadlock a minute and half into the game with the baseline triple to give Scotland the early 0-3 advantage.

England allowed eight offensive rebounds in the opening period, before Coach Kapoulas introduced Daniel Edozie to the game to guard fellow Flyers teammate Vigor. Edozie finished with two points in six minutes on his international debut for England.

At the end of the first period, it was Kapoulas’ men who had the upper hand with a narrow 19-17 lead.

Scotland and Rocks’ captain Kieron Achara drained the three with eight minutes to play in the second quarter to give Scotland their largest lead so far at five.

Scotland’s defensive intensity stepped up in the second, forcing an eight second violation with 6:30 left in the period, before Orlan Jackman of the Cheshire Phoenix found Rob Gilchrist of the Worcester Wolves for the two handed slam.

Vigor converted inside with the soft touch around the rim and the foul, but was unable to convert on the three point play. The Flyers’ captain went 1/7 from the field in the opening half, scoring just two points to go along with two rebounds.

Scotland had held England to just 26% from the field in the first half and 18% from behind the three point line to take a three point lead into the break, 35-32.

Callum Jones of the Manchester Giants stole the ball away just moments into the third quarter, before converting the lay-up in transition to narrow the gap to just one point.

Rob Beveridge’s side found success from their zone defence, with Vigor drawing a charge midway through the period. Vigor went on to split a pair of free throws to give Scotland their largest lead of the game at nine, 36-45.

An individual 5-0 run from Kofi Josephs of the Glasgow Rocks brought England back to within two points at 45-47.

Josephs beat the buzzer with the deep three to ensure it was still all to play for heading into the final ten minutes, 48-49.

Edozie opened the scoring for England in the final period, but Scotland were able to protect their lead, Vigor converting inside to force Kapoulas to call for time.

The bank was open for Achara, who kissed it off the glass to give Scotland their biggest lead of the game once more at nine, 63-54.

A pair of threes and an ‘and-1’ play from Vigor in the fourth put the nail in the coffin for Scotland to hand Kapoulas his first defeat at England head coach.

Saturday, April 7th

Tip-off 11.30am BST

Scotland v India

Sunday, April 8th

Tip-off 12noon BST