Leigh Greenan dominates as Ipswich shoot down Neptunes

Caleb Fuller just missed out on a triple double (Image: PAVEL.KRICKA@btinternet.com)

Nick Drane’s men were coming off the back of three defeats in four games, thanks to seven games in four weekends, but with one game left before the Christmas break, Leigh Greenan had an absolute ball against the undersized Neptunes.

Ipswich’s long-serving centre finished with a whopping 37 points and 13 rebounds, as well as defining the game at both ends of the floor with his basket protection on defence.

The Suffolk side were comfortable in the first half, Greenan’s post offense unstoppable for Newham and Luke Mascall-Wright attacking in transition.

However, having trailed by 15 at half-time, Newham poured in 30 points in the third quarter and from 49-34, came back to tie the game at 66-66 on the first score of the final period.

Lukas Volskis led the charge for the home side, as he finished with 28 points, but he had little back up from the rest of his team, only one of whom finished in double-figures.

From 66-66, Ipswich closed the game on a 30-11 run as Josh Apple, Cameron Hawes and Greenan hit big shot after big dunk to close the game out.

Caleb Fuller came agonisingly close to a triple-double with 11 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Mascall-Wright finished with 21 points on 11 shots and seven assists.

“Five-six is not where we expected nor wanted to be at the mid-season break,” said coach Drane after the game.

“However, we are optimistic that we are a team who can beat anybody on our day and, despite several losses where late-game situations have cost us dearly, I believe that if we keep plugging away and getting better, who knows what will happen in the second half of the season.

“Our sights are still set on home advantage in the play-offs.”

Ipswich are next in action on January 7, when they travel to Thames Valley Cavaliers.