SLB Round 27 (Regular Season): Bristol Flyers defeat Manchester in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 27 in the ABA took place in Manchester. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of second-best Manchester (17-12) to sixth ranked Flyers (13-16) 83-80 on Sunday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. It was a great evening for swingman Will Yoakum (196-1998, college: Nova SE) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Center Owen McCormack (203-2001, college: Lipscomb) helped adding 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was guard Jordan Johnson (185, college: New Orleans) with 24 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bristol Flyers moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Surrey. Manchester at the other side keeps the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Cheshire P.. Bristol Flyers will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Manchester will play on the road against Leicester R. and is hoping to win this game.
The game between Top Four teams took place in London. First ranked host Lions (24-5) smashed 4th placed Sharks (15-13) 81-60. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Sharks. It was an exceptional evening for forward Aaryn Rai (198-1998, college: Dartmouth) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kameron McGusty accounted for 8 points and 5 assists. American guard Dirk Williams (195-1994, college: UAB) came up with 20 points for Sheffield in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Lions have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. London maintains first place with 24-5 record. Sheffield at the other side keeps the fourth position with 13 games lost. London will play against league's second-placed Cheshire P. in Chester in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sheffield will play on the road against Newcastle E. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Surrey (#5) was upset in Guildford by eighth ranked Newcastle E. 103-94. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Scorchers. The best player for the winners was Ray-Sean Taylor who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Michael Graham who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists. Scorchers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Newcastle E. maintains eighth place with 12-17 record. Loser Scorchers keeps the fifth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Bristol Flyers. Newcastle E. will meet at home higher ranked Sheffield (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Surrey will play against Caledonia and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 27 Leicester R. won against Caledonia on the opponent's court 95-93.



Surrey - Newcastle E. 94-103

Surrey (#5) was upset in Guildford by eighth ranked Newcastle E. 103-94. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Scorchers. Newcastle Eagles looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Ray-Sean Taylor (185, college: SIUE) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 assists. American-Nigerian forward Gus Okafor (201-1999, college: Wichita St.) chipped in 20 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Michael Graham (203-2000, college: Hofstra) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import guard Tyrin Lawrence (193, college: Georgia) added 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Scorchers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Newcastle E. maintains eighth place with 12-17 record. Loser Scorchers keeps the fifth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Bristol Flyers. Newcastle E. will meet at home higher ranked Sheffield (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Surrey will play against Caledonia and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Surrey: M.Graham 18+18reb+4ast, T.Lawrence 14+9reb+4ast, K.Lilly 13+3ast, T.Ogedengbe 13+1ast, R.Polite 12+3reb+5ast, C.Nedas 9+2reb+2ast
Newcastle E.: T.Ray-Sean 21+4reb+10ast, O.Gus 20+5reb+1ast, J.Maceo 19+2reb+1ast, H.Deion 17+1reb+1ast, B.Terrell 12+7reb+4ast, L.Cole 8+4reb+2ast

Manchester - Bristol Flyers 80-83

The most exciting game of round 27 in the ABA took place in Manchester. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of second-best Manchester (17-12) to sixth ranked Flyers (13-16) 83-80 on Sunday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. It was a great evening for swingman Will Yoakum (196-1998, college: Nova SE) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Center Owen McCormack (203-2001, college: Lipscomb) helped adding 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was guard Jordan Johnson (185, college: New Orleans) with 24 points and 5 assists and Donovan Mitchell (, college: St.Thomas, FL) scored 11 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bristol Flyers moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Surrey. Manchester at the other side keeps the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Cheshire P.. Bristol Flyers will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Manchester will play on the road against Leicester R. and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Manchester: J.Johnson 24+2reb+5ast, T.Adetukasi 14+4reb, M.Donovan 11+9reb+2ast, S.PJay 11+2reb+1ast, Z.Irvin 9+5reb, D.Shelton 4+3reb
Bristol Flyers: Y.Will 21+6reb+2ast, A.Zachary 16+7reb+3ast, M.Owen 13+10reb+4ast, A.Joe 11+2reb+4ast, B.Jonathan 8+1reb+1ast, W.Evan 7

Caledonia G. - Leicester R. 93-95

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Gladiators' (6-23) home loss to eighth ranked Leicester Riders (12-15) 93-95 on Sunday. Leicester R. made 28-of-37 free shots (75.7 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) who scored 24 points and 8 rebounds. The former international center Aaron Menzies (221-1996, college: SMC) chipped in 9 points and 16 rebounds. Menzies is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Ethan Wright (190-2000, college: Colorado) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import guard Dwaine Jones Jr. (196-2001, college: Charleston, agency: Helping Ballers) added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Gladiators' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Defending champion moved-up to seventh place. Caledonia lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 23 games lost. Leicester R. will meet at home higher ranked Manchester (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Caledonia will play against Surrey (#6) in Guildford and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Caledonia G.: E.Wright 20+10reb+5ast, D.Jones Jr. 17+5reb+5ast, L.Bryan 14+8reb+2ast, M.Delpeche 13+4reb+1ast, J.Speelman 10+5reb, R.Holland 7+5reb+4ast
Leicester R.: B.Flynn 24+8reb+2ast, B.Xavier 16+4reb+3ast, J.Kedrian 16+2reb+5ast, E.Travis 10+4reb+5ast, M.Aaron 9+16reb+1ast, M.Nate 8+2reb

London L. - Sheffield S. 81-60

The game between Top Four teams took place in London. First ranked host Lions (24-5) smashed 4th placed Sharks (15-13) 81-60. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Sharks. London players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for forward Aaryn Rai (198-1998, college: Dartmouth) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. American-Guyanese Kameron McGusty (197-1997, college: Miami, FL) accounted for 8 points and 5 assists for the winning side. American guard Dirk Williams (195-1994, college: UAB) came up with 20 points and the other American import guard Nick Kern Jr (198, college: Penn State) added 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Sheffield in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Lions have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. London maintains first place with 24-5 record. Sheffield at the other side keeps the fourth position with 13 games lost. London will play against league's second-placed Cheshire P. in Chester in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sheffield will play on the road against Newcastle E. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Sheffield S.: D.Williams 20+2reb, N.Kern Jr. 10+6reb+2ast, P.Nixon 9+3reb+1ast, M.Ochereobia 7+1reb+1ast, A.Fahro 5+7reb+2ast, R.Chatman 4+2ast
London L.: R.Aaryn 11+10reb+1ast, R.Shavar 11+1reb+2ast, S.Joel 9+1reb, S.Ciaran 9+1ast, A.Amin 9+6reb, M.Kameron 8+3reb+5ast