Lions within striking distance
Macaulay's men down by two at half time
Marshall Milton Keynes Lions followed two friendly wins with a narrow two-point defeat at Guildford in the opening leg of the Cup Winners' Cup challenge as the new basketball season tipped off last weekend.
Lions firstly met a Team USA Select side at Bletchley Leisure Centre on Friday and gained a 94-73 victory.
Eddie Morrison, aged 19 and making his debut, proved to be a revelation as he accumulated 11 points, eight assists and five steals.
Yorick Williams scored 24 points while new centre Tommie Eddie made his first start and bagged five points as the Lions led 24-18 after the first period.
The 6ft 7in American then added 11 more points in the second quarter as Lions led 42-34 at the halfway mark.
In the third quarter Dru Spinks hit seven in a row and defensively, the visitors were completely snuffed out. Lions then continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter and ran out comfortable winners.
Scorers: Eddie 25, Williams 24, Morrison 11, New 11, Spinks 11, Youngblood 4, Emmerson 4, Cort 2, Harvey 2.
Saturday then saw Lions record a 79-77 victory over Lithuanian side, Meresta, in Leicester.
After a low scoring first quarter Lions trailed 40-35 at half time with Robert Youngblood, Terrell Brown and Yorick Williams all on the end off a tough, physical battle.
After the interval Lions exploded into action and produced several three pointers but still they trailed 59-51 going into the final quarter.
A 19-5 Lions run in the fourth session eventually saw the Lithuanians wilt and Lions finally edged home by just two points.
Scorers: Williams 32, Brown 13, Spinks 12, Eddie 8, Youngblood 8, New 6.
The following day saw last season's British Basketball Cup winners take on BBL Trophy winners Guildford Heat in their own back yard in the first leg of this year's BBL Cup Winners' Cup challenge.
Heat started the game strongly and led 29-27 at the end of the first quarter before going on to take a 53-51 lead into half time.
Liam Cort and Terrell Brown hit threes to start the third quarter as the visitors went ahead for the first time at 66-63.
But Heat hit back and were up by five going into the final few seconds of the game.
With the clock ticking down Lions managed to win back possession and Mike New found the in-form Eddie who hit a crucial three-pointer just before the buzzer to keep the Lions within touching distance.
Lions' head coach and chief executive Vince Macaulay was happy with the weekend's work.
"I am very happy with the guys. Our fitness was terrific and I think it all bodes well for the new season," he said.
Lions face Heat in the second leg at Bletchley Leisure Centre tomorrow (Friday). Tip-off 7.30pm.
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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
