BASKETBALL: Treble success for Bucknall
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thames Valley Tigers beat London Towers 99-85 in the World Invitation Club Basketball tournament at Crystal Palace last night, using the international event to stamp their mark on a team who may yet be among the challengers for their Budweiser Le ague title.
This was the second WICB championship for Tigers and coach Mick Bett after their win against Moscow two years ago.
But the night belonged to Steve Bucknall, winning the championship for the third occasion and with his third different club following the triumphs of University of North Carolina in 1988 and Sunderland in 1991.
Bucknall, surely tired of being announced to the crowd as the former LA Laker, did not score a two-pointer for the first 10 minutes. But he then hit 14 points in the next seven minutes as Tigers went from 24-20 down to lead 46-33, at which point Towers' coach Kevin Cadle called his second time-out in two minutes.
Yet it was Towers who began like a whirlwind, leading 20-9 as guards Danny Lewis and Andrew Bailey scored their first 10 points before their big men, Martin Henlan and Ken Scott, shared the next 10.
But once Bucknall became inspired on the Crystal Palace floor where he played as a junior, London fell apart as spectacularly as Tigers came together.
Bucknall's first-half tally of 14 included a long-range hook and dunk, while Michael Hayles and Tony Holley added punishing three-pointers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments