EBL Division Two Ipswich 76 London Westside 70 Ipswich were without GB International Luke Mascall-Wright when they entertained London Westside at Copleston.
The 19-year-old guard was in America visiting potential colleges, but the team rallied in the absence of one of their most important players, grinding out a tough six-point win against a much-improved Westside team.
Westside started the better of the two teams but it wasn’t long before the blue boys, led by Aaron Moseley and Sam Newman, got it going. The visitors were doing an excellent job of limiting the touches of 7-foot Leigh Greenan, but Ipswich remained patient and eventually found their rhythm.
By the end of the period Ipswich had seized control, winning the quarter 25-20.
The second quarter was a much lower scoring affair, which the away team edged 13-11.
However, Ipswich were much improved as the quarter went on, allowing them to hold onto their lead as they went into the interval.
Returning from injury, Jacob Lloyd provided a major spark for the Suffolk side as they clung onto their advantage.
The third quarter was where Ipswich grabbed control of the game. Greenan got it going and, as ever, the opposition had no answer for the giant man’s powerful inside game.
With Greenan dominant this allowed other players more room to operate. Colin Dockrell connected on a long-range jumper, Moseley continued to impress and Newman hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to allow Ipswich a 60-51 advantage going into the final period.
In the fourth Ipswich extended their lead to as much as 13 at one stage.
However, this Westside team was physical, very tough and had a number of players that can shoot from the perimeter. A late surge from the visitors made the closing moments closer than they needed to be for Ipswich, who had to rely on Josh Johnson, Newman, Moseley and Greenan all making clutch free-throws to close the game out.
Ipswich ended up rounding off the win 76-70 to take them to a record of nine wins and three losses.
“This was a similar game to the Eastside loss before Christmas,” said Ipswich coach Nick Drane.
“We didn’t play great but we got the job done, and a win is a win at the end of the day.
“All of the other top teams won this weekend so its essential that we keep improving and keep the pressure on each and every weekend. If we want to get to where we think we should be, then we can’t afford any more slip ups”.
Top Scorers: Aaron Moseley 22, Leigh Greenan 21 and Sam Newman 16. n Ipswich are on their travels for the next two league games.
Next weekend they face Worcester Wolves, a game they lost last season. A loss this time around would almost certainly mean the team’s pre-season goal of a championship would be impossible.
Another victory, however, would keep Ipswich well in the mix.
The teams next home game is Sunday, February 1, in the semi-final of the Patrons Cup.
The team will face London Lituanica in this competition. If it is a repeat of the game the two teams had before Christmas, then it will be a game not to be missed.
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