NBL Division Two Kent Crusaders 80 Ipswich 75 (OT) Ipswich 96 Newcastle University 63 Ipswich salvaged their weekend with victory over Newcastle University at Copleston Sports Centre on Sunday after losing at unbeaten Kent the day before.
Without Luke Mascall-Wright, and with Caleb Fuller playing through an injury, Ipswich needed a breakout performance from one of their reserves and more excellence from a dependable starter to overcome one of the league’s hottest teams.
Leigh Greenan, who put in an under-par performance in the north east when these teams meet two weeks ago, was dominant once again with 22 points to record his third straight 20-point performance.
Cameron Hawes, making his first senior start in Mascall-Wright’s place, hit six three-point shots on his way to 18 points, while captain Tom Sadler was effective from inside and out to record 21 points and Fuller fought through his injury to add 17 off the bench.
Having quelled an early fast start by the visitors, Ipswich got control of the game with Daniel Caluico playing outstanding defence on Newcastle’s main scoring threat Richard Austin.
That five-point gap after the first quarter was quickly extended by Fuller, in the game for the first time, who had eight points in the first four minutes of the second period.
Newcastle kept the gap to around ten for most of the second quarter, riding the hot hand of Romonn Nelson, but a run by Ipswich on scores by Greenan and Edson Ferreira gave them a 47-34 half-time cushion.
Whatever was said in the visiting locker room was drowned out as Ipswich scored seven points in the first minute of the third quarter, five of them by Sadler, and from then on Hawes connected on one shot after another as the lead grew and grew.
Josh Apple and Rory Winter helped pile on the points as a 25-10 fourth quarter for Ipswich was punctuated by fatigue and foul trouble for the visibly deflated Newcastle, playing their second game in 22 hours.
“We were in a difficult position today with a number of personnel absent or hampered, and our guys really came through with flying colours,” said coach John Ellis.
“It was great performance by the younger guys – we had to ask more of Rory, Josh and especially Cameron today, and they came right on through with big performances.
“We have two really tough games next week, with Thames Valley and London Pioneers both coming to Copleston, and we need to carry the momentum we’ve got out of two great performances.”
The victory came after a heartbreaking defeat in Kent on Saturday. Missed free throws in the fourth quarter cost Ipswich victory against the unbeaten Crusaders. Greenan led the way with 24 points.
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