After four disappointing losses in the league, Atiba Lyons and his team were propelled to victory thanks mainly to a fine double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds by Mike Tuck which helped them ease past Durham Wildcats 74-58.

There was much relief on the final buzzer at the EIS as the final buzzer sounded to confirm One Health Sharks Sheffield as having managed to chalk up a first league success of the season at the fifth attempt.

It’s been a difficult start to the new campaign for head coach Atiba Lyons and his team, but Durham Wildcats always looked like potential prey and so it proved as Sharks went for the kill right from tip-off.

And, their lightening start helped them to build up an early 14-2 advantage as Micah Willams made a score from downtown.

From that moment onwards, the visitors were always treading water, and with Sharks playing great defence to hold the Wildcats to just nine points during the first period, there only ever looked like being one winner.

Sharks were just as commanding during the second quarter and were leading by as many as 21 points before a Brad Guinane triple right before the break gave Durham a glimmer of hope.

But, with Mike Tuck exceptional in the paint and eventually accumulating a super double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds, Wildcats couldn’t work their way back into the contest, or avoid Sharks joining them on one win for the season so far.

It now means Mersey Tigers are the only team yet to win a game this season, after they slumped 102-51 against north-west rivals Manchester Giants who ended their own run of losses with a third home win of the new campaign.

James Jones and David Watts were the star performers whilst David Aliu also made a nice contribution against his former club.

There were plenty of players going up against their old employer down at the Pavilions in Devon and it was UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders who enjoyed the night the most after picking up a 100-84 win against Cheshire Jets. However, the visitors gave a good account of themselves and showed great amounts of resilience.

Michael Ojo was on fire from downtown and the difference maker with 27 points as Raiders stayed perfect for the season.

Newcastle Eagles are also still holding on to an unbeaten record after they scraped past a gutsy and impressive London Lions team 89-83.

The Lions actually led by four points heading into the final quarter but just couldn’t sustain their momentum long enough to take a surprise win back home to the capital.

Orlan Jackman and Tayo Ogedengbe both caused the league leaders problems all night with 55 points between them.

Story – BBL
Photos – MPhotography

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