In this week’s featured game we saw an old rivalry renewed, as Bath took on UCL in their first meeting in a season after Bath were narrowly promoted over UCL at the end of the 2011/12 season by a single via a play off that Bath won in the home leg by 9 points but lost by 8 away. UCL gained promotion at the end of last.
Bath started slowly and within the first 2 minutes UCL had scored two 3 pointers and the Bath manager called for a time out to regroup. Some choice words that cannot be repeated were made by the coach and it seemed to galvanise them as Bath #24 stole the ball on half way and went on get 2 points back, Bath scored another 2 points as #15 worked his way into a shooting position. Bath finally took the lead 3 minutes before the first quarter had finished with a 3 pointer and at the break it was 15-15.
Straight into the second quarter UCL took the lead after a sloppy ball to restart play was intercepted and went on to score uncontested. Bath continued to fall behind as UCL got a stronger and they raced into a 10 point lead by the end of the second quarter as the teams went in at 24-34 to UCL.
Bath just couldn’t get back into the game after as UCL took an even wider lead almost straight away it was 24-37 to UCL after the scored a 3 pointer less than 2 minutes into the third quarter, this didn’t stop Mr. SU Sports TomTom Janicot who went to score 6 points including a 2 pointer right on the buzzer as the third quarter ended with the scores at 36-48 to UCL.
Janicot was not deterred by the score line and he continued to fight and claw scoring another scoring 9 points including 3 free throws. However the highlight of the quarter was when the Bath #7 scored a half court shot. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough and Bath couldn’t get back eventually losing their opening fixture 52-68. Bath played well at times but just couldn’t find a way past a very strong UCL team.
By SU Sport Reporter
Edward Attwood