Heat too much for Lions
Lions 60-68 Guildford
Marshall Milton Keynes Lions missed out on the chance of winning some early-season silverware when beaten by Guildford at Bletchley Leisure Centre on Friday
Lions lost out 68-60 in the second leg of the Cup Winners' Cup challenge, Lions losing 159-149 on aggregate and Heat retaining the trophy.
Lions, last season's BBL Cup winners, trailed by two points after losing the first leg 91-89 to last term's BBL Trophy winners.
Lions flattered to deceive early on as they opened up a 7-0 lead, thus wiping out the first leg deficit.
Good play by Robert Young-blood and stubborn defence from the Lions helped them to 18 points while restricting Heat to nine.
The second quarter saw Lions concede a massive 29 points and their lacklustre finishing saw them trailing 38-31 at half time.
Lions improved in the third session but their offensive woes continued.
Yorick Williams did manage to score the last five points of the session for the Lions but they still trailed 51-42.
Youngblood returned from a heavy fall to hit the first baskets of the fourth quarter before Terrell Brown hit a three and a pair of free throws.
But as Lions closed in, Heat's Howell hit a three and despite late efforts from McNally, Heat held on to retain the trophy.
Lions open the new British Basketball League season at Bletchley Leisure Centre against the Cheshire Jets tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm.
Lions will be looking to at least emulate the feats of last season which saw them lift their first ever piece of silverware with a narrow victory over the Newcastle Eagles at the National Indoor Arena in January in the final of the BBL Cup.
They then went on to finish fourth in the league table – their highest ever finish.
Following that, coach Vince Macaulay's side went on to reach the play-off final before losing out to Guildford.
Lions' second game of the league season sees them travelling to face the London Capital at 4pm on Sunday and Saturday week (October 4) sees at them at Guildford for a league game.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
